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predawn

adjective
pre·​dawn | \ˌprē-ˈdȯn, -ˈdän\
variants: or less commonly pre-dawn

Definition of predawn 

: existing or occurring before dawn a predawn attack the predawn hours … the gigantic telescope started scanning the predawn sky.— Howard Blum

Other Words from predawn

predawn or less commonly pre-dawn noun plural predawns also pre-dawns
The most bone-chilling predawns create the sharpest sunrises. — Christine Schultz … stepping out into the quiet pre-dawn, closing the door. — Bryan Burrough

First Known Use of predawn

1883, in the meaning defined above

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The first known use of predawn was in 1883

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