earlier

adverb, adjective earlier, earliest

1. near the beginning of a given period of time or of a series, as of events; soon after the start
2. before the expected or customary time
3. in the far distant past; in ancient or remote times
4. in the near future; before much time has passed

Origin: ME erli < OE ærlic, adv. (> ærlic, adj.) < ær, before (see ere) + -lice, adv. suffix (see -ly, like)