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| ear·ly [ úrlee ] |
adverb (comparative ear·li·er, superlative ear·li·est) |
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| Definition: |
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1. before expected time: before the expected or arranged time
  They arrived early.
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2. near beginning of something: at or near the beginning of a period of time, process, or sequence of events
early in the interview
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3. during first stages: at a time when something was not far advanced or developed or when somebody was at a comparatively young age
She decided early that she wanted to become a teacher.
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4. soon: without delay or before long
Buy your tickets early, for seating is limited.
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adjective (comparative ear·li·er, superlative ear·li·est) |
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| Definition: |
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1. occurring near beginning: occurring at or near the beginning of a period of time, process, or sequence of events
Early reports indicate a high level of interest.
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2. occurring before expected time: occurring before the expected or arranged time
early retirement
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3. produced near beginning: produced at, characteristic of, or representing a not very advanced stage in the development of somebody or something
looking forward to an early end to the deadlock
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4. in near future: due, expected, or requested to happen in the very near future
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5. ripening before others: flowering or ripening before other plant varieties of the same type
an early bloomer
early peaches
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| [ Old English ǣrlīce< Indo-European, "day"] |
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| ear·li·ness noun |
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early on at the beginning or start of something such as a chain of events or a period of time
We should have realized early on that financing would be a major problem.
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