Webster's English Dictionary

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early

1. ear.ly \'*r-le-\ av [ME erly, fr. OE -rli-ce, fr. -r e]arly, 
   soon - more at ERE 1: near the beginning of a period of time or of a 
   process or series  2a: before the usual time  archaic  2b: SOON  2c: sooner 
   than related forms 
2. early aj 1a: of, relating to, or occurring near the beginning of a 
   period of time o r of a development or series 1b1: distant in past time  
   1b2: PRIMITIVE  2a: occurring before the usual time  2b: occurring in the 
   near future  2c: maturing or producing sooner than related forms