† preˈcoque, a. (n.) Obs. rare.
Also 5 pl. precox.
[ad. L. præcoqu-us (Columella), occas. equivalent of præcox early ripe: see precoce.]
Early ripe. b. As n. Applied to an early fig.
| 1398 Trevisa Barth De P.R. xvii. clxxxi. (Bodl. MS.), Some [grapes] ben precoque..for þei ripeþ sone. c 1420 Pallad. on Husb. iv. 578 In places passyng cold, hit is most sure Precox [= precoques, L. præcoqua] to plaunte; her fruyt they sone enhaunce, Er shoures come. |