Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
early (adverb)1.
a) near the beginning of a period of time - awoke early in the morning
b) near the beginning of a course, process, or series - early in his senatorial career
2.
a) before the usual or expected time - the train arrived early
b) archaic - soon
c) sooner than related forms - these apples bear early
1.
a) of, relating to, or occurring near the beginning of a period of time, a development, or a series - in the early evening the early symptoms of the disease
b) (1) distant in past time
(2) - primitive early tools
2.
a) occurring before the usual or expected time - an early arrival
b) occurring in the near future - at your earliest convenience
c) maturing or producing sooner than related forms - an early peach
Ju*bal Anderson 1816–1894 Am. Confed. gen. - bixear03.wav ˈjü-bəl
Merriam-Webster Online Thesaurus
early (adjective)1.
relating to or occurring near the beginning of a process, series, or time period
SYNONIMS:
ancient, primal, primeval, primitive, primordialRELATED WORDS:
budding, embryonic, germinal, infant; aged, age-old, antediluvian, antiquated, antique, dateless, hoary, old, prehistoric ( prehistorical); obsolete, outmoded, out-of-date, passéNEAR ANTONYMS:
advanced, complex, developed, evolved, high, higher; full-blown, full-fledged, full-scale2.
occurring before the usual or expected time
SYNONIMS:
inopportune, precocious, premature, unseasonable, untimelyRELATED WORDS:
unanticipated, unexpected, unforeseen, unlooked-for; abrupt, suddenNEAR ANTONYMS:
behindhand, belated, delinquent, latish, overdue, slow, tardy; anticipated, expected; delayed, detained, postponedbefore the usual or expected time
SYNONIMS:
beforehand, inopportunely, precociously, prematurely, unseasonablyRELATED WORDS:
immediately, instantly, presently, promptly, pronto, punctually; apropos, betimes, seasonably