Precocious
Precocious
Precocious (pronunciation: /prɪˈkoʊʃəs/) is a term used in medicine and psychology to describe early onset or development of certain characteristics, abilities, or symptoms. The term is derived from the Latin word 'praecox', which means 'early ripe'.
Etymology
The term 'precocious' is derived from the Latin 'praecox', which means 'early ripe'. It was first used in English in the 17th century to describe plants that flowered or fruited early. By the 18th century, it was being used to describe children who developed certain abilities at an unusually early age.
Medical Usage
In a medical context, 'precocious' is often used to describe early onset of puberty, known as Precocious puberty. This condition is characterized by the development of secondary sexual characteristics before the age of 8 in girls and 9 in boys.
'Precocious' can also refer to early development of certain diseases or conditions, such as Precocious osteoporosis, which is characterized by early onset of bone loss.
Related Terms
- Precocious puberty: The early onset of puberty, typically before the age of 8 in girls and 9 in boys.
- Precocious osteoporosis: A condition characterized by early onset of bone loss.
- Precocious myoclonus: A neurological disorder characterized by early onset of myoclonus, a type of involuntary muscle movement.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Precocious
- Wikipedia's article - Precocious
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