early

—earliness, n.

/err"lee/, adv., earlier, earliest, adj., earlier, earliest, n., pl. earlies.

adv.

1. in or during the first part of a period of time, a course of action, a series of events, etc.: early in the year.

2. in the early part of the morning: to get up early.

3. before the usual or appointed time; ahead of time: They came early and found their hosts still dressing.

4. far back in time: The Greeks early learned to sail and navigate.

5. early on, with but little time elapsed; early in the course of a process, project, etc.; early in the game.

adj.

6. occurring in the first part of a period of time, a course of action, a series of events, etc.: an early hour of the day.

7. occurring before the usual or appointed time: an early dinner.

8. belonging to a period far back in time: early French architecture.

9. occurring in the near future: I look forward to an early reply.

10. (of a fruit or vegetable) appearing or maturing before most others of its type: early apples.

n.

11. a fruit or vegetable that appears before most others of its type.

[bef. 950; ME erlich (adj.), erliche (adv.), OE aerlic, aerlice, mutated var. of arlic, arlice, equiv. to ar- early (positive of aer ERE) + lic(e) -LY]

Syn. 6. initial. 7. beforehand, premature.

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(as used in expressions)

Early American furniture

Early Netherlandish art

Early Jubal Anderson

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