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Definition of Precocious

Precocious: Unusually early development, whether it be of intellectual powers, speech, physical traits, etc.

Precocious puberty is the unusually early development of secondary sexual features. The onset of sexual maturation in a girl before age 8 or a boy before age 9 is usually considered to be precocious puberty.

"Precocious" is to be distinguished from "precocial" which means "capable of a high degree of independent activity from birth" and is usually applied to the young of other species such as certain birds such as ducks.

Source: MedTerms™ Medical Dictionary
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=9647
Last Editorial Review: 6/16/1999 7:55:00 PM

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