adj.

1. at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
   
   • early morning
   • an early warning
   • early diagnosis
   • an early death
   • took early retirement
   • an early spring
   • early varieties of peas and tomatoes mature before most standard varieties
2. being or occurring at an early stage of development
   
   • in an early stage
   • early forms of life
   • early man
   • an early computer
3. belonging to the distant past;
   early(a), former(a), other(a)
   
   • the early inhabitants of Europe
   • former generations
   • in other times
4. very young
   
   • at an early age
5. of an early stage in the development of a language or literature
   
   • the Early Hebrew alphabetical script is that used mainly from the 11th to the 6th centuries B.C.
   • Early Modern English is represented in documents printed from 1476 to 1700
6. expected in the near future
   
   • look for an early end to the negotiations

adv.

1. during an early stage;
   early on
   
   • early on in her career
2. before the usual time or the time expected;
   ahead of time, too soon
   
   • she graduated early
   • the house was completed ahead of time
3. in good time;
   betimes
   
   • he awoke betimes that morning