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early date
early day motion
Early English
early exercise
early mark
early modern
early music
early retirement
early riser
early warning
early warning system
earlywig
earlywood
earmark
earmuffs
Earn
earn
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earnest (2)

ear·nest [ úrnəst ] (plural ear·nests)


noun 
Definition:
 
1. down payment: a small advance payment that confirms a contract ( dated )

2. token of something to come: a sign, foretaste, or pledge of something to come ( literary )

[13th century. Probably alteration of Old French erres "pledges" < Latin arra< Greek arrabōn "pledge" < Hebrew 'ērābhôn< 'ārab "to pledge"]
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