a. [ L. praecox, -ocis, and praecoquus, fr. praecoquere to cook or ripen beforehand; prae before + coquere to cook. See 3d Cook, and cf. Apricot. ] 1. Ripe or mature before the proper or natural time; early or prematurely ripe or developed; as, precocious trees. [ R. ] Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Developed more than is natural or usual at a given age; exceeding what is to be expected of one's years; too forward; -- used especially of mental forwardness; as, a precocious child; precocious talents. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a precocious manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } n. [ Cf. F. précocité. ] The quality or state of being precocious; untimely ripeness; premature development, especially of the mental powers; forwardness. [ 1913 Webster ]

Saucy precociousness in learning. Bp. Mannyngham. [ 1913 Webster ]

That precocity which sometimes distinguishes uncommon genius. Wirt. [ 1913 Webster ]