early 
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 AH Idiom Dictionary |
early (ʉr′lē)
adverb, adjective earlier -·lier, earliest -·li·est
- near the beginning of a given period of time or of a series, as of events; soon after the start
- before the expected or customary time
- in the far distant past; in ancient or remote times
- in the near future; before much time has passed
Etymology: ME erli < OE ærlic, adv. (> ærlic, adj.) < ær, before (see ere) + -lice, adv. suffix (see -ly, like)
Related Forms:
- earliness ear′·li·ness noun
early on
Early (ʉr′lē)
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Alternate definitions:
early
modif.
Near the beginning
initial, first, ancient, prehistoric, primitive, primeval, primal, pioneer, pioneering, trailblazing, beginning, prime, new, fresh, budding, raw; see also old 3.Antonyms
late*, modern*, superannuated. * Sooner than might have been expected
premature(ly), beforehand, in advance, ahead, far ahead, before the time, ahead of time, quick, precocious, preceding, anticipatory, advanced, too soon, untimely, unanticipated, immediate, unexpected, precipitant, speedy, hasty, before the appointed time, in good time, on time, direct, prompt(ly), punctual(ly), briefly, shortly, presently, in the bud, unhatched, immature, unlooked-for, betimes, bright and early*, with the birds*, on the dot*, pronto*, with time to spare*. Maturing soon
dwarf, bush, quick-maturing, early-maturing, early-flowering, hardy, short-stemmed, spring, frostproof, northern.
Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Preposition: as
- century: Boro or municipal corporation: dating from as early as the 11th century.
Adjective complement with noun phrase
- please: During the summer months we do get booked up quickly so please book early to avoid disappointment.
Modifies a noun
- stage: During the early stages of the online signup process you will be provided with a list of hardware costs.
Modifying Another Word
- too: It remains too early to decide for a or against a merger.
Infinitive complement
- avoid: During the summer months we do get booked up quickly so please book early to avoid disappointment.
Used with adjective complement
- arrive: Students who need to arrive early will be given information by their Faculty / Department.
Preposition: in
- morning: AG: I'm a fresher, I am up early in the morning, and I'm organized.
The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.
O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dryand thirsty land, where no water is.
Except the L build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the L keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!
Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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Cite this page:
MLA Style
"early." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009
- Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
- <www.yourdictionary.com/early>
APA Style
early. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary
- Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/early
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