early

early
adj., adv., & n.
—adj. & adv. (earlier, earliest)
1 before the due, usual, or expected time (was early for my appointment; the train arrived early).
2 a not far on in the day or night, or in time (early evening; at the earliest opportunity). b prompt (early payment appreciated; at your earliest convenience).
3 a not far on in a period, development, or process of evolution; being the first stage (Early English architecture; the early Christians; early Spring). b of the distant past (early man). c not far on in a sequence or serial order (the early chapters; appears early in the list).
4 a of childhood, esp. the preschool years (early learning). b (of a piece of writing, music, etc.) immature, youthful (an early work).
5 forward in flowering, ripening, etc. (early peaches).
—n. (pl. -ies) (usu. in pl.) an early fruit or vegetable, esp. potatoes.
Phrases and idioms:
at the earliest (often placed after a specified time) not before (will arrive on Monday at the earliest). early bird colloq. one who arrives, gets up, etc. early. early closing Brit. the shutting of business premises on the afternoon of one particular day of the week. early days early in time for something to happen etc. early grave an untimely or premature death. early hours the very early morning, usu. before dawn. early (or earlier) on at an early (or earlier) stage. early warning advance warning of an imminent (esp. nuclear) attack.
Derivatives:
earliness n.
Etymology: orig. as adv., f. OE aeligrlice, arlice (aeligr ERE)

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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  • Early B — Early B, de son vrai nom Earlando Arrington Neil, est un deejay jamaïcain né en 1956 à Kingston (Jamaïque) et décédé le 9 novembre 1994. Il était surnommé The Doctor. Discographie 1984 Four Wheel No Real (Midnight Rock) Singles: Cane Man A Fe… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Early — Ear ly ([ e]r l[y^]), adv. [OE. erli, erliche, AS. [=ae]rl[=i]ce; [=ae]r sooner + l[=i]c like. See {Ere}, and {Like}.] Soon; in good season; seasonably; betimes; as, come early. [1913 Webster] Those that me early shall find me. Prov. viii. 17.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Early — (spr. Ärlih), Grafschaft im Staate Georgia (Nordamerika), 40 QM.; Flüsse: Chattahoochee, Spring u. Colamoka Creeks; Boden eben u. fruchtbar, mit schönen Waldungen; Producte: Baumwolle, Mais u. Bataten; Dampfschifffahrt auf dem Chattahoochee;… …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Early B — Infobox musical artist Name = Early B Img capt = Img size = Landscape = Background = solo singer Birth name = Earlando Arrington Neil Alias = The Doctor Born = 1956 Died = November 9, 1994 Origin = flagicon|Jamaica Kingston, Jamaica Instrument =… …   Wikipedia

  • 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… …   Universalium

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  • early — I. adverb (earlier; est) Etymology: Middle English erly, from Old English ǣrlīce, from ǣr early, soon more at ere Date: before 12th century 1. a. near the beginning of a period of time < awoke early in the morning > b. near the beginning of a… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • early — 1. adjective /ˈɜː(ɹ).li,ˈɝli/ a) At a time in advance of the usual or expected event. At eleven, we went for an early lunch. b) Arriving a time before expected; sooner than on time. She began reading at an early age …   Wiktionary

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