Preemie: meaning, definitions and examples
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preemie
[ ˈpriːmi ]
medical term
A preemie is a colloquial term for a premature baby, which is an infant born before 37 weeks of gestation. These infants often face various health challenges and may require specialized medical care. Preemies are typically categorized based on how early they are born.
Synonyms
neonate, premature infant, preterm baby.
Examples of usage
- The hospital has a unit specifically for preemies.
- Parents of preemies often need support during their child's early days.
- Doctors monitor preemies closely for any signs of complications.
Translations
Translations of the word "preemie" in other languages:
🇵🇹 prematuro
🇮🇳 पूर्व समय पर जन्मा बच्चा
🇩🇪 Frühgeborenes
🇮🇩 bayi prematur
🇺🇦 прематурний
🇵🇱 wcześnie urodzony
🇯🇵 早産児
🇫🇷 prématuré
🇪🇸 prematuro
🇹🇷 erken doğan bebek
🇰🇷 조산아
🇸🇦 مولود قبل الأوان
🇨🇿 předčasně narozené dítě
🇸🇰 predčasne narodené dieťa
🇨🇳 早产儿
🇸🇮 prerano rojen
🇮🇸 fyrirframfæðingur
🇰🇿 ерте туған бала
🇬🇪 წინასწარ დაბადებული
🇦🇿 erken doğulmuş uşaq
🇲🇽 prematuro
Etymology
The term 'preemie' is derived from the word 'premature', which has Latin origins. The word 'premature' comes from the Latin 'praematurus', meaning 'ripened beforehand', which is a combination of 'prae-' (before) and 'maturus' (mature). The informal term 'preemie' emerged in the medical community as a way to refer to premature infants in a more affectionate and accessible manner. Over time, the term gained popularity among parents and caregivers as it encapsulated both the medical condition and the emotional experience of having a baby born before the typical gestational period.