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early

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early

Main Entry:: ¹ear·ly
Pronunciation:: \ˈər-lē\
Function:: adverb
Inflected Form(s):: ear·li·er; ear·li·est
Etymology:: Middle English erly, from Old English ǣrlīce, from ǣr early, soon — more at ere
Date:: before 12th century

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> barchaic : soon c: sooner than related forms <these apples bear early>

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