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earlyadj.n. Origin: Formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: or adv.1, -ly suffix1; ere adv.1, -ly suffix1. Etymology: In α. forms apparently < or adv.1 + -ly suffix1; compare Old Icelandic árligr (adjective) early. In β. and γ. forms < ere adv.1 + -ly suffix1. Compare early adv.In Old English (like early adv.) attested only in Northumbrian. In early use much less frequent than early adv. and probably showing the influence of the adverb. With Old English (Northumbrian) ārlic compare Old English (Northumbrian) ārmorgenlic belonging to the first part of the morning ( < or adv.1 + morn n. + -ly suffix1; compare Old English ǣrmorgen : see arne-morwe n.). A. adj. I. Absolutely or relatively near to the beginning of a period of time: opposed to late. 1. With reference to the time of day. the world > time > day and night > day or daytime > morning > [adjective] OE (Northumbrian) Liturgical Texts (Durham Ritual) in A. H. Thompson & U. Lindelöf (1927) 171 Domine deus omnipotens qui nos in hanc horam matutinam secundam per nocturnas caligines peruenire fecisti conserua nos hodie : driht' god allm' in ðassum tide arlica æft'ra ðerh næhtlica misto ðerhcyme dydest gihald usig todæg. ?c1225 (?a1200) (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 189 His earliche ariste from deaðe to liue. a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. ix. xxii. 537 Mane, the erliche dawinge..makþ ende of þe nyȝt litil and litil. c1450 Treat. Fishing in J. McDonald et al. (1963) 173 Ye may angle to hym [sc. trout]..with a dubbe; and erly wyth a erly grounde lyne, and forþer-moyr yn þe day with a floyt lyne. c1503 (Pynson) sig. f.iv Beuys sayde yet is it but erly day. 1597 W. Shakespeare v. v. 163 The earlie village cocke, Hath twise done salutation to the morne. View more context for this quotation 1611 Hosea vi. 4 Your goodnesse is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare (1622) ii. iii. 7 To morrow with your earliest, Let me haue speech with you. View more context for this quotation 1667 J. Milton iv. 642 Sweet is the breath of morn, her rising sweet, With charm of earliest Birds. View more context for this quotation 1727 J. Gay I. l. 171 As forth she went at early dawn To taste the dew-besprinkled lawn. 1736 S. Wesley 240 In vain the Stone, the Watch, the Seal, Forbid an early Rise. 1807 J. Barlow i. 38 Whose watchful priest would meet, with matin blaze, His earlier God. 1866 487 It was time to get up for early prayers before sunrise. 1916 S. N. Cleghorn vii. 74 Carrie went to New York..on the early train, which meant a frosty stage-ride before sunrise. 1989 P. D. James xxxvii. 275 It was an early hour to telephone, and he knew that his mother-in-law...was a late riser. 2009 M. Firestone (ed. 2) 316/2 Most organised safaris begin with an early wake-up call—usually accompanied by a hot drink and the rising sun. the world > time > day and night > day or daytime > evening > [adjective] > of sunset or nightfall the world > time > day and night > day or daytime > evening > [adjective] > occurring in the evening a1400 (c1303) R. Mannyng (Harl.) l. 7292 (MED) As y haue tolde of rere sopers, Þe same falleþ of erly dyners. a1627 T. Middleton Women beware Women ii. ii, in (1657) 117 When she was invited to an early wedding; She'ld dress her head o'r night, spunge up her self, And give her neck three lathers. 1676 T. Cock 28 If no breakfast, eat an early dinner. 1725 E. Fenton in A. Pope et al. tr. Homer I. i. 480 The early feast, and late carouse. 1799 T. Jefferson Let. 12 Sept. in (2004) XXXI. 182 [My time], from an early breakfast to a late dinner is given to my farms, & from dinner to early bedtime to society or light reading. 1842 Dec. 544 I felt disposed to make an early halt, the better to be refreshed from my journey and prepared for the duties of the approaching Sabbath. 1926 Jan. 8/2 This bus..will land its passengers in Paris in time for an early lunch. 1976 16 Jan. 1/1 The almost day-long blizzard..forced the early closing of some schools. 1990 S. S. Tepper i. ii. 58 Time to knock off, pushing dusk, but still early enough to walk down through the settlement and take a look at the old temple. 2007 A. Thorpe (2008) 383 He arranged to meet Howard for an early pint near Covent Garden the next day. 1571 Homme qui est Matineux, an early riser. a1637 B. Jonson Tale of Tub i. vi. 11 in (1640) III Late Watchers are no early Wakers, Madam. View more context for this quotation 1674 R. Head sig. A4v I pretended to be a Country Gentlemans Son,..and behav'd my self accordingly, not discovering the least symptom of any former debauchery, observing very early hours for bed-time. 1734 M. Delany (1861) I. 432 I am a very early person, and rise every morning at seven. 1753 S. Richardson V. xvii. 114 Early hours..and ease, without hurry, will do every thing. 1781 W. Cowper 429 What early philosophic hours he keeps. 1817 W. Scott III. viii. 224 We are early starters in the dawn, even when we have the luck to have gude beds to sleep in. 1857 5 Sept. 217/1 You must keep early hours and take an occasional tonic. 1878 Jan. 67/1 We are not early people at Sir Jacob Escomb's, because there is so much to do at night. 1905 W. J. Locke iv. 57 I am glad she has early habits. 1918 Apr. 546/1 The project of advancing the clock in summer in order to persuade slothful humanity to keep early hours at that season. 1989 M. Weiss x. 77 I ate supper just before I met Wiley. I'm an early eater. 2005 H. Blix (new ed.) iv. 85 President Bush's White House keeps early hours. 2. the world > time > relative time > the past > oldness or ancientness > [adjective] > primitive or early OE (Northumbrian) Liturgical Texts (Durham Ritual) in A. H. Thompson & U. Lindelöf (1927) 69 Quę est ista quę progreditur quasi aurora consurgens : huoelc is ðios ðio gifæres soelce arlic morgen arisende. a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden (St. John's Cambr.) (1879) VII. 447 (MED) From þe erliche morwe tide to þe underne of þe day. 1561 H. Bennet tr. O. Mykonius Hist. Zuinglius in sig. N.iiii From earlye morning, tyl tenne of the clocke, he applyed hym selfe to reade. 1626 F. Bacon i. 9 This Sprouting is chiefly in the late Spring, or early Sommer. 1688 R. L'Estrange III. 195 Enquiring of Mr. Welden for Sir E. B. Godfrey, on Saturday, early Afternoon, when Sir Edmund was first Missing. 1764 L. Carter 23 Feb. (1965) I. 257 The mould..should be sown in early June. 1859 J. R. Bartlett (ed. 2) 135 The meeting will begin at early candle-light [i.e. evening]. 1875 C. D. E. Fortnum x. 88 The figures of a gentleman and a lady who plays the viol, in the costume of the 15th or early 16th century. 1928 A. Waugh v. 208 That life of parties and affaires that had seemed so infinitely desirable in the early twenties. 1975 Autumn 145/2 One day in early spring I put out a feeder full of peanuts as a special treat for the birds. 2013 9 Nov. (South/West ed.) 72/3 An early-20th-century yacht. 1656 R. Sanderson 343 Against murder the Lord provided by an early Law Gen. 9. enacted and published before him. 1662 E. Stillingfleet i. iv. 56 The earlyest writers of Romances in the world. a1699 T. Comber Dial. Tithes in (1702) II. 558 There are no more, or earlyer Laws than these. 1747 W. Collins 46 While yet in early Greece she sung. 1786 J. Bonnycastle 3 Astronomy is a science of the earliest antiquity. 1794 R. J. Sulivan I. 106 Anaxagoras seems to have been one of the earliest philosophers..who held this doctrine. 1821 W. M. Craig vii. 373 The early engravers..never attempted to express more than the drawing and the actual light and shadows. 1849 T. B. Macaulay I. 593 After the fashion of an earlier generation. 1875 C. D. E. Fortnum 92 Two large and finely painted early dishes. 1915 Aug. 143 The Gauls, as they appear in early history, were a Celtic race. 1965 D. V. Glass in D. V. Glass & D. E. C. Eversley i. 4 Population changes in pre-industrial and early-industrial eras. 1981 61 i. 182 Material and interpretation: the archaeology of Sjaelland in the Early Roman Iron Age. 2005 F. Habashi in M. D. Adams Introd. p. xlvi Gold has served the human race well as a dependable form of money from the earliest of times right up to the modern day. 1829 Jan. 14 His early works, rapid as their flow appears, were evidently touched and retouched with the painful industry of ancient sculpture. 1888 Nov. 378/2 Bryant's poetry is a hybrid of early Wordsworth and early Coleridge. 1939 Apr. 194/1 The tonality and..character of drawing are indeed what one might expect from an early work by Gentile. 1968 27 June 846/1 A treat for both connoisseurs of fine singing and admirers of early Verdi. 1994 May 43/3 Williams' voice bears a startling resemblance to the early David Bowie. 2011 C. E. Smith 11 As I started collecting R.E.M.'s early albums, bootlegs, and singles, I gained an appreciation of how..they were changing as a band. the world > time > period > year > [adjective] > early in the year 1526 James v. 7 Untill he receave the yerly and the latter rayne. ?1606 M. Drayton Eglog vi, in sig. E8v The early wanton lambs, That mongst the hillocks wont to skip and play. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) i. iii. 38 In an early Spring, We see th'appearing buds, which to proue fruite, Hope giues not so much warrant. 1664 J. Evelyn Kalendarium Hortense 59 in Fruits, and Flowers, are more early, or tardy..according as the Soil, and Situation are qualified by Nature, or Accident. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics i, in tr. Virgil 51 Ev'n in this early Dawning of the Year. View more context for this quotation 1754 J. Justice 190 The Mazagan and the early Lisbon are the earliest kinds; but I prefer the Mazagan Bean. 1768 T. Jefferson (1999) 12 Sowed a patch of early peas, having first soaked them. 1811 W. R. Spencer 98 Sere, sere was ev'ry earlier rose. 1861 A. Pratt V. 204 Early Purple Orchis. 1905 M. O. Wright xiv. 244 The straggling clumps of early tulips and daffodils that were already in bloom. 1992 D. Fontenelle x. 127 Children with late birthdays..tend to have more difficulties in school than those with early birthdays. 2013 (Nexis) 8 Apr. 18 My favourite moment is harvesting my first early potatoes. 4. the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > beginning > [adjective] > connected with early part of anything 1595 H. Chettle sig. F2 What great important cause concerning the State or other affaires, vrgeth this early approach, and sodaine alteration. 1666 N. Hodges (new ed.) 229 The chief intention in the cure consisting in an early expulsion of the malignity, proper Alexipharmicks did mostly contribute to this end. 1767 B. Gooch I. 191 This consideration shou'd engage our earliest and closest attention to the rules. 1791 E. Burke 8 Made men remiss in early precaution. 1796 R. Southey ix. 303 Fear not for Burgundy!.. Our earliest scouts Shall tell his homeward march. 1815 W. Scott vi. iii. 224 Bruce's earliest cares restore The speechless page to Arran's shore. 1882 C. Pebody xxi. 153 The early part of this century. 1918 31 121/2 Early intervention would no doubt have saved his life. 1982 A. Brinkley vii. 161 Other dissident groups of the post-bellum era perpetuated..the spirit and rhetoric of earlier, anti-aristocratic movements. 1997 K. Starr 119 In July 1933 the Bank of America resumed paying dividends, having made an early recovery from the Depression. the world > time > relative time > the future or time to come > [adjective] > imminent, near, or at hand 1655 Speech Charles I to Parl. 1625 in H. L'Estrange 10 Your own periclitation necessitates an early resolution. 1781 Sept. 467/2 He should feel it incumbent on himself..to bring a plan of the same nature before Parliament at the earliest opportunity. 1832 C. Dickens 30 July (1965) I. 7 You will perhaps oblige me with a line at your earliest convenience. 1857 D. Livingstone Introd. 8 There being no prospect of an early peace. 1907 Feb. 11/2 Representative Neale requested an early report from the committee regarding No. 93's request. 1953 A. C. Kinsey et al. (1998) ii. viii. 292 Coitus between engaged couples is not infrequently a factor in leading them to fix an early date for their marriage. 2007 W. D. Miscamble iv. 125 Churchill lobbied hard for an early meeting of the three leaders. 5. the world > people > person > child > [adjective] > relating to childhood 1630 H. Lord 62 They marry about the seventh year..that the parents might before death see their children disposed, which commeth to pass by these earely conjunctions. 1705 J. Addison Ded. sig. Av I had a very early Ambition to recommend my self to Your Lordship's Patronage. 1743 E. Young 52 Early, not sudden, was Narcissa's Fate. 1780 W. Cowper 354 Our most important are our earliest years. 1812 J. Sinclair i. 357 When they [sc. calves] are allowed to drink much water at an early age, they will become big-bellied. 1849 T. B. Macaulay II. 109 Henry Wharton,..whose early death was soon after deplored by men of all parties. 1875 B. Jowett in tr. Plato (ed. 2) V. 36 The man who is to be good at anything must have early training. 1942 G. B. Hurst i. 7 My father's earliest memory of any public event was seeing fireworks in Peel Park. 1958 27 Feb. 40/2 (advt.) Good prospects of early promotion to Engineer. 1981 G. S. Fraser viii. 192 A sad poem of West's, written shortly before his early death. 2004 T. Smoot xxiv. 280 Barbara received a child's toy piano from her godmother on one of her early birthdays. the world > life > source or principle of life > age > youth > [adjective] > youthful (of beings) 1814 Ld. Byron i. xx. 391 Blest are the early hearts and gentle hands That mingle there in well according bands. 1819 Ld. Byron xliii. 24 Lucretius' irreligion is too strong For early stomachs. II. With reference to serial order; opposed to subsequent. the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > preceding or following in order > [adjective] > preceding in order > near the beginning 1707 No. 4333/8 They will Advance Money upon early Tallies. 1782 J. Robinson Introd. p. x I am aware that there will appear a deficiency of incident in the early pages of the work. 1859 II. iii. 55 She, as we think has been hinted in an earlier page of this chronicle, was tall and bony. 1890 12 154 By means of concomitants occurring earlier in the sequence, it is possible [etc.]. 1942 G. J. Nathan xix. 181 It is better to name a play with one of the early letters in the alphabet. 2005 R. Murray ix. 203 This is a discussion that was covered in an earlier chapter. B. n.the world > time > day and night > day or daytime > morning > [noun] > early morning a1382 (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Ecclus. xviii. 26 Fro erli vnto euen the tyme shal ben chaungid. 1579 S. Gosson f. 38v Turne them of with some prety delayes, from morning to euening, from early to late, from childhood to manhood. 1705 T. Brodrick 32 An Attendance on his Worship and Service, the whole Day in proper Seasons, willingly losing no Opportunity..to multiply and lengthen them from early to late. 1813 R. Owen ii. 35 All the regularly trained Scotch peasantry disdained the idea of working from early till late, day after day, within cotton mills. 1902 ‘D. Dix’ 213 Mr. Bear toiled from Early until Late..in a Brokerage Office. 2013 (Electronic ed.) 31 Aug. 10 It is still possible to travel by Cardiff Bus to..almost all corners of the city from early to late seven days of the week. 1809 tr. A. L. J. de Laborde IV. 103 The grapes of the first gathering, called earlies, afford a wine of the consistence of honey. 1846 13 Feb. Regents..kidneys, earlies, Scotch reds. 1883 R. Fremlin 4 Second Earlies and Late Sorts. 1900 10 Sept. 2/3 Hops... A few samples of earlies were offered at market to-day. 1905 E. Phillpotts i. iv. 37 Look at my earlies [sc. potatoes]—all scorched black by that damn frost. 1925 25 Apr. (advt.) Chrysanthemums. A nice collection of well rooted outdoor earlies. 1961 J. Seymour iv. 53 In March we start potato planting. We plant a few earlies and later a lot of main crop. 2010 D. Strawbridge & J. Strawbridge iv. 146/1 Plant seed potatoes from late March to April depending on whether they are earlies or maincrop. the world > time > relative time > the future or time to come > newness or novelty > [noun] > newness, freshness, or originality > early stage of existence or the world 1927 ‘A. Horn’ (title) The Ivory Coast in the earlies. 1928 24 June 8/5 So much for the old show days in the earlies. 1936 22 Feb. 167/2 A sheep-droving expedition on the scale of the one described here was more common in the ‘earlies’ of Australia than now. 1981 G. Pike 223 A splendid old pioneer station owner..came to Queensland in ‘the earlies’. 2002 J. Christy ii. 22 Long ago, back in the Earlies when Ramona owned the place. Phrases1496 Treat. Fysshynge wyth Angle in (rev. ed.) sig. hj As the olde englysshe prouerbe sayth in this wyse. Who soo woll ryse erly shall be holy helthy & zely. ?1523 J. Fitzherbert f. lii At grammer scole I lerned a verse,..erly risynge maketh a man hole in body, holler in his soule, and richer in goodes.] 1639 J. Clarke 91 Earely to bed and earely to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise. 1695 E. Ravenscroft iii. iv. 34 Greed. For Bed already Sir Barnaby? Sir Bar. Ay, Early to Bed, and early to Rise, Will make a Man Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise. 1776 Oct. 534/1 It was an adage much regarded by the antients, ‘Early to bed and early to rise’: and it must be acknowledged indeed, that if one merely considered health, there would be some propriety in the proverb. 1852 R. S. Surtees ix. 37 Early to bed and early to rise being among Mr Sponge's maxims, he was enjoying the view..shortly after daylight. 1888 T. Hardy Withered Arm in Jan. 45/2 'I was just going to bed,' he said; ‘“Early to bed and early to rise,” but I don't mind stopping a minute for such a one as you’. 1958 J. Wain (1962) 253 We were resourceful, imaginative, tough, reliable. We were early to bed and early to rise, healthy, wealthy and wise. 2011 M. Battisti i. 7 Get into the habit of ‘early to bed, early to rise’. It makes a cyclist's life on the road so much better. the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > untimeliness > [noun] > (untimely) earliness > early days a1535 T. More (1553) i. xiv. sig. C.viiv She telleth hym then that it is but early dayes, and he shall come tyme ynough. 1740 S. Richardson I. xiv. 26 'Tis early Days with Pamela, and she does not yet think of a Husband. 1828 J. Constable 25 Apr. (1962) 244 No impediments have yet arisen, and it is early days. 1935 G. Heyer xi. 145 It's early days yet. 1957 23 Dec. 11/2 As regards the current year, it is early days to express any considered opinion, but trading conditions are bad. 2012 (Nexis) 10 Mar. 4 Sydney's autumn selling season is under way and although it's early days, the market is showing signs of a modest revival. 1684 R. Kidder vii. 221 But then that service at the earliest did not begin till past noon. 1759 XIII. xvi. i. 180 Under the mentioned [emperor], who..flourished about the year 220, or, at the earliest, under his father. 1829 26 372 A Pic-nic party..must be almost impromptu: projected at twelve o'clock at night at the earliest, executed at twelve o'clock of the following day at the latest. 1884 D. Hunter tr. E. Reuss xiii. 264 A pretended Confession of Faith, dated 1120, which is now known..to belong at the earliest to the year 1532. 1912 A. Cherry-Garrard Jrnl. 19 Feb. in (1922) xii. 419 We have been wondering when relief will reach us, but we cannot expect it for at least a day or two yet at the earliest. 1973 26 Feb. 17/6 The long-expected take-off in the sale of telephone facsimile machines will not happen before next year at the earliest. 2009 2 Feb. 3/3 Davies is expected to cross the finish at the end of this week at the earliest. 1852 H. K. Root 116 It is detrimental to health to turn day into night; to be up till the early hours of morning. 1892 18 June 1/2 A conference..which had lasted from 9 o'clock last night until the early hours of this morning. 1939 P. G. Chadwick viii. 289 Behind black windows Brighton merrymade into the early hours, loose-hearted and undisciplined. 1966 9 Feb. 215/1 Thickening the bedroom air [by smoking] well into the early hours of the morning. 2009 I. Thomson iii. 34 In festively crowded front rooms West Indian mento and American R & B would be played into the early hours. 1920 16 July 12/1 The parking thumb came into play and John got an early shower bath. 1920 26 July 8/4 After..Witt and Dykes had singled, it looked as though the National slabman was going to be treated to an early bath. 1929 21 June 19/1 The Phils bunched three singles for a run in their first inning, then in the second they forged ahead in an outburst which promised Hubbell an early shower. 1969 B. Bremner vi. 66 I carried on the verbal feuding..and in the end I was given my marching orders and sent for an early bath. 1989 (Nexis) 23 Feb. 28 This enraged Labor MP Mrs Janice Crosio, who interjected so much that she ‘got an early shower’. 1995 17 Mar. 35/2 You must take an early bath from society. I hereby red-card you for life. 2006 11 Dec. (Game section) 4/2 There seemed to be a danger of Cole going for an early bath after he was booked for a late tackle on Alexander Hleb, but he soon recovered his composure. Compounds1807 Dec. 561/2 She..punctually attended..early morning prayer-meetings. 1897 M. Kingsley 65 The pottery has a very early-man look about it. 1900 9 Jan. 2/1 The shock of that early-dawn disaster. 1906 2 June 9/1 The abolition of early-season events for two-year-olds. 1909 23 Apr. 8/2 Much of the early-morning work is performed entirely alone. 1916 R. Frost 8 Aug. (1964) 41 Regarded as an attack of early-marriage nerves, it seems even a little funny. 1949 E. Coxhead iii. 61 The first recipient of her early-morning tea. 2008 (Nexis) 12 June The pair had become stuck in early morning traffic on their way to Pilgrim Hospital. C2. Combinations with an agent or verbal noun, such as early adopter, early riser, early rising, early leaving, are based on the use of early as an adverb modifying the verb from which the agent or verbal noun is derived, e.g. early riser from to rise early. Cf. also sense A. 1c.1873 24 May 3/2 He was an early adopter and promoter of steam cultivation. 1914 Nov. 83/1 (advt.) Sears, Roebuck & Co..were among the early adopters of the Automatic-Phone for Inter-Communication. 1949 June 150/1 The hypotheses being tested are that the above listed factors differentiating early and late adopters of hybrid seed also discriminate between the accepters and non-accepters of approved hog sanitation practices. 1958 E. M. Rogers in 23 345 A method is suggested by which the adopters of agricultural practices may be classified into the five adopter categories of innovators, early adopters, early majority, late majority, and laggards. 1994 3 Dec. 15/1 Houghton thinks that the ‘into tech’ group is by far the most important—the kind of people who were first to buy CDs, personal computers, cellular phones and other high-tech innovations, who are in love with technology for its own sake. ‘Your early adopters are your agents of change’, he says. 2001 16 July 102/1 If you weren't part of the early adopters who saw the Village production of Maya the Bee, then now's your chance. the world > time > relative time > the past > historical period > [adjective] > of other specific periods 1895 9 Nov. 310/2 (title) Early American paintings at the Metropolitan Museum. 1922 Sept. 45/1 Furniture from the workshop of Duncan Phyfe holds distinctly a place of its own in the history of early American utilitarian art. 1937 E. St. V. Millay ii. 47 They fill the place so full of Early American furniture that there isn't a comfortable chair in the house. 1940 O. Nash 262 He [sc. Captain John Smith] was too Early American to write for advice from Emily Post. 2002 (Midwest ed.) 15 Sept. iv. 9/2 The featured artisan is leathersmith expert Steven Lalioff of Cicero, Ind. Lalioff reproduces Early American fire buckets and other goods. 1827 R. Sweet II. No. 106 Crocus pusillus..is a very early bloomer.] 1835 J. Sinclair & J. Freeman 67 It [sc. the Iver Hero] appears also to possess another good quality—that of being an early bloomer. 1870 B. Harte 157 Inheriting her mother's physical peculiarities, and in obedience to the climatic laws of the Red Mountain region, she was an early bloomer. 1938 Jan. 66/1 (advt.) ‘Queen's Bouquet’ is a small, round imbricated Aster in a variety of colors, as modern as tomorrow. Dwarf, early bloomer. 1991 21 Nov. b23/1 Rick Macci [is] helpmate to early-bloomers like Tommy Ho and Capriati. 2006 (Nexis) 26 May c12 Red pasque flower is..an early bloomer with gorgeous feathery seed heads in summer. society > faith > sect > Christianity > person > [noun] > in earliest times > collective 1675 F. Gregory 2 We find them [sc. feasts of charity] mentioned by St. Paul, who reproves their abuse in that Early Church of Corinth. 1694 J. Strype ii. vi. 164 They took..along with them, concerning this Matter [sc. the defence of the Mass], the Ancient Canons of the Early Church. 1778 W. Burgh Introd., p. iv Such observations as were made upon the religious tenets of the early Church, by those Heathen or Jewish authors. 1816 W. Scott I. vii. 160 The martyrs of the early church..exposed by heathen tyrants to be slain by wild beasts. 1875 W. Barrows xxvi. 208 Many of the early Church fathers were not baptized in their infancy. 1912 E. B. Sanford 116/2 In the early Church, when catechumens were martyred before receiving baptism. 1984 Spring 196 Although I would take issue with the early Church Fathers on many things, I would agree that despair is..one of the deadly sins. 2010 M. S. Massa i. 6 An equally conservative call to return..to the original wellsprings of the faith as found in the early Church. 1844 6 Jan. 8/4 It is hoped the inhabitants will support the early closers in this good rule. 1863 17 Jan. 78/1 The public would look with a more favourable eye upon the early closers if [etc.]. 1906 28 July 7/6 Thus giving early-closers and Saturday-afternooners a chance. 1985 (Nexis) 24 Mar. Eventually, of course, the Early Closers achieved their objective. 1879 22 Feb. 4/2 Some of Mr Butt's ‘early day’ motions have hitherto proved to be the reverse of successful. 1963 8 104 The member of Parliament may, of course, reveal his opinions in other ways: in regular debates in the House, during the question period..or by signing Early Day Motions that are frequently tabled for debate but rarely called by the Speaker. 2002 (Aberystwyth Univ. Students' Union) June 10/1 I've written to our MP..asking him to support the Early Day Motion proposed by Labour back-benchers, calling for the abolition of up-front fees and the return of maintenance support for students. 1883 5 May 315/3 There was probably no ‘early door’ for the more fortunate or the more open-handed. 1890 268 304 The solitaires, pittites who pay a small additional fee for the privilege of being allowed to enter at an early door. 1901 6 June 7/2 London playgoers are familiar with the iniquitous ‘early-door’ system, under which grasping managers trade on the fears of their nervous patrons. 1937 N. Marsh iii. 24 There's a queue for early-door tickets. 1998 (Nexis) 22 Nov. a7 The notorious ‘early-door’ ticket system, which actually made it impossible to get a ticket. society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > architecture > style of architecture > [adjective] > Early English 1807 G. Millers 17 Sketch of the Characteristics of English Church Architecture. 1. Age.—Saxon..2. Age.—Norman..3. Age.—Early English; from 1200 to 1300, comprehending the reigns of John, Hen. III. and Edw. I. 1851 J. Ruskin I. ix. 106 The Early English capital is, therefore, a barbarism of triple grossness. 1957 25 Oct. 636/3 So far as architecture is concerned the book covers three periods, Early English, Geometric, and Early Decorated. 2007 Nov. 20/1 The windows are a mixture of Early English and Decorated which go together well. 1608 R. Tofte tr. L. Ariosto iii. 32 But had I plaid the paricide or slaue, And brought my father to an early graue. 1710 J. Urmston Pref. p. xiv By his great Pains and Diligence, he'll procure himself an early Grave. 1821 L. Deffebach i. i. 5 Plans are laid..That yet may bring thee to an early grave, And end thy days when they have scarce begun. 1954 Aug. 12/1 Are you going to sit and rock yourself into an early grave, as you very easily can; or are you going to prove that 65 is the youth of old age? 2007 R. Millward xiii. 138 I didn't want anyone to smoke themself to an early grave. 1891 May 76/1 The boys belonging to this class left school two years since to engage in business... The early leavers have missed it badly. 1893 25 Nov. 454/2 The late-comers, early-leavers, or those who persist in talking during a performance. 1918 7 Feb. 453/1 There are too many early leavers and too low a percentage of pupils who reach matriculation standard. 1974 21 Aug. 15/4 At retirement age the early-leaver would get the amount of pension he would have been entitled to on the day he left the company. 1993 J. Lowe (ed. 2) viii. 131 Even ignoring inflation, in many cases, your pay as an ‘early leaver’ will be less than your pay at retirement would have been, because you'd normally expect pay increases due, for example, to promotion. 2013 A. Furlong 51 Many early leavers may be vulnerable to prolonged or repeated unemployment. 1844 Jan. 73 The irregularity of attendance and early leaving of the scholars is a very serious impediment to the efficiency of their education. 1896 H. S. Ward & C. W. Ward v. 85 The early marriage, and early leaving of his country, for London. 1951 12 Jan. 21/2 To tolerate early leaving is to destroy the structure and purpose of the grammar school. 1983 9 Nov. 9/4 (heading) Pressure over early-leaving pension arrangements. 2001 A. Abu-Rabia v. 100 Most schools fail to take adequate steps to prevent early leaving. the world > time > relative time > the past > historical period > [adjective] > of other specific periods 1817 16 Nov. The union of a masculine nation [sc. the Goths] with the degenerate Romans produced that fine race of people, the early modern Italians. 1874 H. Sweet 83 The valuable pronouncing vocabulary of Early Modern English given by Mr. Ellis. 1880 XI. 351/2 The book may be regarded as a general view of early modern history. 1953 14 36 The classicist humanism of the early modern age originated in a deep longing for a new society and a new individual. 1979 No. 14. 34/2 Though written in Early Modern English..the text is accessible because the sections are short and the vocabulary simple. 1990 43 23 The current idea of early modern marriage settlements as..limited to the aristocracy and upper gentry is based on three misunderstandings. 2013 L. M. Principe v. 126 In the early modern period, the term seed signified a powerful agent..that works at the microscopic level to transform substances. society > leisure > the arts > music > type of music > [noun] > other general types 1886 Dec. 268/1 This supremacy [of ecclesiastical music] imposed on all early music..a similarity of form and tone. 1949 W. Apel (ed. 4) ii. ii. 118 This composition also serves to illustrate the problem of text-underlaying in early music... The original frequently leaves considerable room for doubt..as to the ‘correct’ placing of the words. 1986 6 Mar. 8/2 Music conservatories which have early music departments devoted entirely to early music. 2002 (National ed.) 3 Feb. ii. 27/3 He took issue with this reporter's suggestion..that not even the most ardent authenticist would advocate meager period-size audiences for early music. society > leisure > the arts > music > musician > [noun] > performer of early music 1974 Jan. (verso front cover) The design..has been influenced to a large degree by the requirements of the modern early musician. 1978 H. M. Brown in J. M. Thomson 7 Early musicians today need to refine and develop their sense of the differences..between medieval, renaissance and baroque music. 2001 J. Gollin xxxvii. 390 The freedom with which today's early musicians root around in the vast pre-classical repertoire. the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > sleep > bed related to sleep or rest > [noun] > action of going to bed or lying down > early 1841 Lady Palmerston Let. 25 Mar. in Countess of Airlie (1922) II. 49 I am glad to think you should have an early night, for the sake of your eyes. 1872 June 539 They resolved to go home and have an early night. 1968 ‘J. le Carré’ viii. 131 I would have been quite glad of an early night. 1987 ‘A. T. Ellis’ 120 Margaret is..suffering from pre-wedding nerves. She should have an early night. 2004 T. Burns & S. Sinfield xii. 168 Students should relax and get an early night before the exam. the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > characteristics > [adjective] > other characteristics 1951 44 914 This finding..implies that the early onset type of case [of diabetes] occurs more frequently among sibs of the early onset propositi. 1979 23 Mar. 1245/1 A logical approach to the prevention of early onset GBS [= Guillain–Barré syndrome] disease in infants is eradication of colonization in the pregnant woman before delivery. 1988 Q. N. Myrvik & R. S. Weiser (ed. 2) x. 171 Early-onset disease within the first 7 days of life usually results from vaginal organisms carried by the mother. 2005 12 Dec. 87/3 The first Alzheimer's gene [to be found]..was called APP, an acronym for amyloid precursor protein, and was associated, in mutated forms, with early-onset Alzheimer's. society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > architecture > style of architecture > [adjective] > Early English 1804 Feb. 126/2 The style is the early Pointed, and exceeding rich. 1804 May 429/2 The style is in the early Pointed manner. a1878 G. G. Scott (1879) I. 123 The round moulded capital is characteristic of the English Early Pointed. a1878 G. G. Scott (1879) I. 138 The Early Pointed style was from 1175 to 1275. 1911 A. Mackie xviii. 124 Some traces of the Early Pointed style are found in St Machar Cathedral. 2013 M. Glendinning i. i. 26 A tower..was planted by Prior Richard Moon in front of the 13th-century Early Pointed nave. 1880 16 45/1 It does not seem to be satisfactorily settled which of two plants Shakspeare alluded to as ‘long-purples’, whether Orchis mascula (the early purple orchid), or Lythrum Salicaria (the purple loose-strife). 1955 G. Grigson 425 Dig up an Early Purple Orchid and you find two root-tubers in which food is stored. 2012 (Nexis) 7 July (Travel section) 36 Early purple orchids and spring gentians were in bloom, and the strange lunar ridge of the Turloughmore hills..dominated my view. 1797 M. E. Jackson p. xxix Early purple Orchis obviously distinguished by its spotted leaves, and brilliant flowers. 1846 A. Pratt 63 The two most common species..are the early purple orchis, (Orchis mascula), and the green-winged meadow orchis, (Orchis morio). 1973 C. A. Wilson vi. 214 A similar drink was already known in parts of England, produced from ‘dogstones’, the roots of the native early purple orchis. 2004 M. MacInnes in 112 478 The terrace was simply a lovely place to play,..rife with violets and forget-me-nots, primroses and lawn daisies, cow slips and the delicate early purple orchis. society > occupation and work > lack of work > [noun] > retirement > early 1866 4 Aug. 124/2 Young men should be attracted to the service by some scheme of early retirement. 1916 Nov. 135/1 Why should such an opportunity for early retirement be offered? 1957 18 Feb. 57/1 If it works, early retirement can produce the blissful by-product shown on the next page. 2002 L. Ackers & P. Dwyer vii. 158 Oliver..took early retirement at the age of 54 and moved with his wife to Spain. 1918 L. Meriam xx. 399 Hard-working members of the system will discover that they have paid high premiums throughout life to provide these early retirers with a period of rest which is of no social utility. 1988 1 Sept. 110/2 The country is thick with active, early retirers. 2009 (Nexis) 18 May 8 They [sc. community champions] are not drawn from any one age group, such as early retirers with time aplenty on their hands for good causes. the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > sleep > bed related to sleep or rest > [noun] > one who gets up or rises > at a certain time 1571Early riser [see sense A. 1c]. 1647 J. Howell 51 He that hath once got the fame of an early riser, may sleep till noon. a1766 F. Sheridan (1770) V. 6 I am an early riser, yet my lord V—— prevented me the next morning, for I found him in the parlour when I came down stairs. 1833 R. Hogg Let. in J. G. Lockhart (1839) IX. 111 He asked me if I was an early riser. 1950 E. Paul (1951) v. 106 A few early risers on their way to work came out of the exits of the St. Michel Station. 2013 (Nexis) 24 Jan. Early risers have time to pray, meditate and plan their day. 1480 (Caxton) (1964) 25 Of his erly risyng Or of his slepyng Ne of his Wakyng. 1568 T. North tr. A. de Guevara (rev. ed.) i. xvii. f. 24 Their earely rysing in a morning, their late going to bed at night. 1580 T. Crewe tr. G. Meurier sig. H2 Q. What profiteth it early rysing? A. Early rising is good for the health, and early rising is good for the wealth. 1611 J. Maxwell 211 A cup of strong drinke, which hee made them to drinke out, dregs and all, in recompence of their early rising to follow drunkennesse. 1738 J. Swift 5 Miss, your Slave: I hope your early Rising will do you no Harm. I hear you are but just come out of the Cloth-market. 1855 June 291 People not only live the longer for early rising, but they are healthier for it while they do live. 1994 L. de Bernières xii. 73 Father Arsenios..wiped his eyes blearily, unaccustomed to the hardship of early rising. 1871 9 133/2 A collector has a large budget of early Victorian, from which he intends to arrange those with the star watermark. 1883 Nov. 89/2 The late Georgian or early Victorian age. 1896 Dec. 129/1 I was a youth—in the mahogany age—early Victorian, you know. 1906 Nov. 880 We invite the humour of the gods if we look down on the early Victorians. 1908 31 Oct. 15/3 The bonnets..were positively early-Victorian in size, and quite early-Victorian in the dainty pale silk frillings which framed most becomingly the face and the hair. 1966 R. Davies in R. Brown & D. Bennett (1982) I. 644 The period is 1837, and so the characters are the earliest of Early Victorians. 2013 (Nexis) 17 Apr. 14 The current building dates back to early Victorian times. 1914 P. G. Wodehouse 181 It was the gruesome Early Victorianness of it all that took the heart out of him. 1944 (U.S. War Dept.) 131/1 Early warning measures. The first evidence of Japanese radar in the Central Pacific was encountered early in 1943. 1946 A. Lee iv. 44 With no early warning system to help them operate fighters economically.., the Polish Air Force could not be expected to survive. 1958 17 July 78/1 The early warning missile station is about to be constructed. 1961 80 654/1 The same hardware and techniques used to launch an orbiting scientific capsule can also be used to orbit an early-warning satellite. 1970 28 Apr. 2/3 An early warning system to alert doctors of the latest drug, Mandrax, being misused has been called for. 2011 (Nexis) 16 Sept. a5 The early-warning radar in Turkey will primarily support NATO's missile defenses in Europe. the world > plants > part of plant > part of tree or woody plant > wood > [noun] > ring or layer > formed earlier or later 1893 4 78 Pits occur in both late and early wood. 1931 G. A. Garratt ii. 115 That [wood] originally nearest the pith, which was formed in the spring of the year and is consequently known as springwood or early wood, is generally more open textured and of lighter colour than the outer portion of the ring. 2004 B. A. Rodgers ii. 36 Early wood appears light colored while late wood looks dark giving wood its distinctive annular rings. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2015; most recently modified version published online June 2022). earlyadv.Origin: Probably formed within English, by derivation. Etymons: or adv.1, -ly suffix2; ere adv.1, -ly suffix2. Etymology: Probably partly (i) < or adv.1 + -ly suffix2, perhaps after early Scandinavian (compare Old Icelandic árliga), and partly (ii) < ere adv.1 + -ly suffix2.In Old English (like early adj.) attested only in Northumbrian. The Old English (Northumbrian) forms arlic, arlig may alternatively show early adj. I. Near the beginning of a period of time. 1. With reference to the time of day. the world > time > day and night > day or daytime > morning > [adverb] OE (Northumbrian) viii. 2 Et diluculo iterum uenit in templum : & ærlice [OE Rushw. arlice]..æftersona cuom in temple. OE (Northumbrian) Hymns (Durh. A.iv.19) in A. H. Thompson & U. Lindelöf (1927) 166 Te mane laudent carmina, te deprecemur uespere : ðec arlice gihergað lofsongas ðec ue gibiddað efenlice. a1200 MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris (1873) 2nd Ser. 13 (MED) Erliche rise, and gernliche seche chireche. ?c1225 (?a1200) (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 20 Segge..prime Iwinter earliche. c1330 (Auch.) (1933) 190 Þe child..ros arliche a morewen. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) 2817 Bot arli [a1400 Fairf. erly], ar men well moght see, Þe angls badd loth do him flee. ?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng (Petyt) ii. 32 He suld fynd a palmere orly at morn. a1450 (Faust.) (1883) l. 3142 (MED) In astere-day ȝerlyche in þe mornyng. 1487 (a1380) J. Barbour (St. John's Cambr.) v. 554 For to ris airly [1489 Adv. arly] euirilk day. a1500 (c1380) J. Wyclif (1880) 460 He wakide eerly to his puple. a1513 H. Bradshaw (1521) ii. viii. sig. o.iiii This Judith..rose vp yerle. a1522 G. Douglas tr. Virgil (1959) viii. viii. 23 At morrow full ayrly Eneas haistis vp, and mycht nocht ly. 1535 Psalms cxviii[xix]. 147 Early in ye mornynge do I crie vnto the. 1599 W. Shakespeare v. iii. 187 What misaduenture is so early vp. View more context for this quotation a1665 J. Goodwin (1670) vi. 120 Early up and never the nearer. 1711 R. Steele No. 49. ⁋2 Young Fellows..who rise early for no other purpose but to publish their Laziness. 1774 J. Andrews 2 Aug. (1866) 23 Early this morning arriv'd in town eleven carts loaded with meat fish and one loaded with sweet oil. 1832 Ld. Tennyson May Queen i, in (new ed.) 90 Call me early, mother dear. 1884 J. Hawthorne in Feb. 433/2 You must get up early to get the better of a man who has been a parson. 1926 Oct. 546 Children who disturb grouchy elders by singing early in the morning. 2010 (Nexis) 31 May I woke up early as usual and had breakfast with my wife. ?a1300 (Bodl.) (1916) l. 8 (MED) Nou hem is wel leuere gon to þe nale..Comen erliche þider & sitte þer ful longe. 1495 (Electronic ed.) Parl. Oct. 1495 §62. m. 34 Laborers..late commyng unto their werke, erly departing therefro. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) i. iii. 5 You must come in earlyer a nights: your Cosin, my Lady, takes great exceptions to your ill houres. View more context for this quotation 1726 J. Swift 18 A Party next of glitt'ring Dames..Came early out of pure Good-will, To see the Girl in Deshabille. 1772 L. Carter 10 Oct. (1965) II. 739 Our moon fulls tomorrow early. 1801 R. Southey I. iv. xviii 223 Earlier the night came on. 1850 Ld. Tennyson cv. 164 A bitter day that early sank Behind a purple-frosty bank Of vapour. View more context for this quotation 1931 May 32/3 We left early one afternoon and were soon making our way up the mountainside. 1996 29 Jan. 19/6 If you arrived early enough you could choose your seat [at the theatre]. 2006 J. Stern & M. Stern 68 People in farm country eat dinner early. the world > people > person > child > [adverb] > during childhood c1225 (?c1200) (Royal) (1981) 52 (MED) Hire feder hefde iset hire earliche to leaf & to lare. a1400 (a1325) (Coll. Phys.) 23046 (MED) His dowhti der..arlik to god þaim tok. 1618 Bp. J. Hall IV. O.T. xii. 64 Samuel began his acquaintance with God early. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil 104 Early begin the stubborn Child to break. View more context for this quotation 1766 J. Fordyce II. xi. 202 She lost her father early. 1791 A. Radcliffe I. i. 5 Early in life he had married Constance Valentia. 1815 W. H. Ireland 252 Where the seeds of virtue are early planted. 1835 N. P. Willis I. xiv. 105 The early-learnt history of the family. 1872 J. Morley iii. 100 Voltaire perceived very early in life that to be needy was to be dependent. 1922 Nov. 11 He achieved success early. 2013 (Nexis) 8 Apr. Women who get married early automatically have a greater span of child-bearing age. 3. the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > beginning > [adverb] > in or at early part ?c1225 (?a1200) (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 152 Þe suȝe of ȝiuernesse haueð gris. Þus þet beoð inempned. to earliche þe an hatte to aesteliche þe oðer. a1400 Prov. Wisdom (Bodl.) 22 in (1927) 51 221 (MED) To erlyche mayster, þe lenger knave. 1665 R. Boyle To Rdr. sig. a3 The Book to be published early in the Winter. 1670 J. Evelyn (ed. 2) iv. 29 The season for this work is towards the exit of January, or early in February if the Frosts impede not. 1766 T. Pennant ii. 92 The Blackbird..begins to sing early in the spring. 1775 S. Johnson 8 Apr. (1992) II. 197 When shall I come down to you? I believe I can get away pretty early in May, if you have any mind of me. 1857 H. T. Buckle I. vii. 456 This great and salutary reaction began early in the present century. 1863 H. Cox i. vi. 41 A Parliament..may..be convened earlier for dispatch of business. 1900 12 Mar. 9/1 The lists may be closed earlier than Thursday..to avoid the unnecessary locking up of application money. 1948 24 May 58/2 Why are some babies born early? 1967 30 Sept. 867/2 The virus has been isolated from the blood only very early in the course of disease. 2007 (Nexis) 14 Aug. 33 Tim first became involved with the Liberal Democrats early in the new millennium. a1450 Lessons of Dirige (Digby) l. 31 in J. Kail (1904) 108 (MED) To seche me eerly, ȝif þou begynne, I ne may withstonde þe y-wisse. 1673 J. Milton Sonnets xv, in (new ed.) 59 That from these may grow A hunder'd-fold, who..Early may fly the Babylonian wo. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil 112 Early they stall their Flocks and Herds. View more context for this quotation 1701 W. Wotton Alex. i. 457 This Abuse was early redrest. 1738 8 378/2 The City Surveyor..declared..that it would be beneficial to the Superstructure to have the Foundation laid early. 1807 T. Jefferson (1830) IV. 71 He very early saw that the fidelity of the western country was not to be shaken. 1944 Nov. 20/3 Taxation must be reduced as early as possible after the war. 2008 M. T. Brill iii. 30 Testing blood sugar levels..can help doctors and their patients discover the disease early and begin treatment. the world > time > relative time > the past > oldness or ancientness > [adverb] > primitively a1275 (?c1200) (Trin. Cambr.) (1955) 116 Hue [sc. woman] ne mai hit non oþir don for wel herliche hue hit bi-gan [i.e. with reference to Eve]. a1400 (a1325) (Fairf. 14) l. 9001 Allas arly [Vesp. arli, Gött. erly] þis gile be-gan. þat adam þat was formast man..was be-giled þorou a wife. 1658 Sir T. Browne ii. 17 The Romans themselves were early in no small Numbers. 1695 in W. Kennett (1818) II. 339 The like office of deans began very early in the greater monasteries, especially in those of the Benedictine order. 1728 R. D'Oyly iii. i. 303 Their wearing gold chains, as Badges of Office, we find as early as Joseph's advancement. 1774 O. Goldsmith IV. 312 The Americans early found out its useful qualities. 1849 T. B. Macaulay I. 317 As early as the reign of Elizabeth. 1886 F. Harrison 238 England was centralised earlier than any other European nation. 1954 (News of World) 217/1 The sense of balance was acquired early in the history of creation through a tiny organ situated behind each ear and named the Labyrinth. 2002 T. Steinberg i. ii. 35 New World timber..entered very early into the web of transatlantic commerce. the world > time > period > year > [adverb] > early in the year 1579 E. K. in E. Spenser Feb. 83 Gloss. Rather lambes, that be ewed early. c1595 Countess of Pembroke Psalme xc. 28 in (1998) II. 136 The hearb that early groweth,..Eu'ning chang with ruine moweth, And laies to rost in withering aire. 1598 W. Phillip tr. J. H. van Linschoten iii. xx. 343/2 If you come thether early in the yeare, you haue the west windes so strong..they would carrie you by force vpon the sands. 1626 F. Bacon §421 An Early-Comming Fruit. 1664 J. Evelyn Kalendarium Hortense 59 in Early-set Anemonies. 1731 P. Miller I. at Prunus This is a small white Plum, of a clear yellow Colour,..and for its coming very early, deserves a Place in every good Garden of Fruit. 1733 W. Ellis i. 28 One of our best Farmers..eat off his Turneps early, and chalked his Ground well. a1797 E. Burke (1800) 34 All the early sown grain recovered itself. 1870 W. Robinson ii. 82 Best in sunny positions, as it flowers early in the year. 1958 10 Feb. 22/3 When Easter occurs early,..there is a particularly marked upswing in coat and suit retail activity in March over February. 1986 T. Enright tr. T. O'Crohan 47 Hasn't the snow come early this year. 2005 E. P. Mills ii. 25 Potatoes do much better if planted early. II. With reference to serial order. the world > relative properties > order > order, sequence, or succession > preceding or following in order > [adverb] > near the beginning 1782 May 242/2 Dr. Thirlby's name occurs early in the list of commentators. 1862 Apr. 212/2 A book like this should have appeared earlier in the series. 1877 J. M. Fothergill v. 124 That reserve fund of force, discussed earlier in § 6. 1939 A. J. Robertson 349 The two other Ælfstans..come earlier in the list. 1973 4 Nov. d5/4 The only tension introduced early in the book is who will live and who will die. 2000 C. Meyers et al. 124/1 Her name appears early in the list of greetings, among those who are obviously known personally to Paul. Phrasesthe world > action or operation > continuing > continually (in action) [phrase] the world > time > frequency > [adverb] > always or in every case c1330 (?c1300) (Auch.) l. 5034 (MED) His hest to don & his wille Erliche & lat, loude & stille. c1400 (?c1380) l. 392 What lyf ȝe lede, erly & late. a1450 (1885) 182 Be subgette to þi souereyne arely and late. c1450 (a1325) (BL Add. 36983) p. 1642 Erliche & late to gladen þee. 1590 ‘Pasquil’ sig. C iijv His conuersation among them..was..all manner of seasons, earely, and late. 1604 J. Sanford Ep. Ded. sig. A3 Caelius, who to avoide the Ave potentiorum, to giue his attendance earely and late vpon the great ones of his times, faigned himselfe sicke of the gowt. 1637 S. Rutherford Let. 14 July in (1664) 5 O then wel-wared pained breast and sore back..in speaking early and late to you! 1766 O. Goldsmith II. i. 3 I was up early and late. 1797 A. M. Bennett VI. iv. 155 A monstrous pretty gardin, Miss,..I am up yearly and late at it myself. 1873 11 431 We find her at work early and late. 1912 Z. Grey vii. 83 Lassiter was always in the saddle, riding early and late. 2002 J. W. Rae i. 10 The pioneers worked early and late clearing the forests of oak, elm, and pine trees. the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > [adverb] > early or in good time > at an early stage 1759 W. Hillary 178 When I am called so early on in the Disease that I can strictly pursue it. 1841 21 Apr. 3/7 It took place earlier on in the year. 1863 Sept. 348/1 Ewebank..fell early on in the contest. 1906 Oct. 99 One could have wished..that the book had maintained with equal effectiveness to the end the force of the argument so ably advanced earlier on. 1928 D. L. Sayers xv. 170 ‘It might have been given him earlier.’.. ‘Well—not too early on, Peter. Suppose he had died a lot too soon.’ 1942 A. L. Rowse iv. 82 I was a very ‘forward’ child: very early on throwing my bottle out over the cradle. 1958 1 Aug. 175/3 Two of the principal characters..are involved early on in a session of the Law. 2012 (Nexis) 20 Dec. 60 Their fly-half Gareth Bown got injured early on in the game. Compounds 1635 T. May iii. sig. F8v The first in ranke that early blooming flower Of fame, Prince Edward leads. 1704 L. Meager (ed. 10) 10 Remember that all early Blooming Fruit ought to be grafted a Month before Apples at the least. 1835 Apr. 143 The Sulphur Yellow... A beautiful variety, of tall stature, and free and early blooming. 1950 5 Nov. a24/1 Even the early-blooming talent needs a long life-time to develop its capacities to the full. 1994 Mar. 36/2 The early-blooming, self-seeding drumstick primrose. 2009 S. Feinstein vii. 64 The early blooming girl is the one most at risk. 1629 J. Parkinson vii. 42 Some of them [sc. common checkerd Daffodills] likewise doe flower very early, euen with or before the early flowring Tulipas. 1781 J. Abercrombie 152 Any other early flowering kinds, such as ten-week stocks, &c. may be soon raised to a handsome flowering-state. 1882 3 June 385/3 The early flowering Gentians..have done badly as regards bloom. a1992 M. Lerner (1996) 54 But though he talked of William Pitt, he lacked Pitt's early flowering genius. 2008 J. Janick & R. E. Paull 851/1 Offspring of early-flowering genotypes [of jojoba] that have met chilling requirements in late autumn or early winter will not survive spring frosts. 1778 J. Abercrombie at Cucumis But to insure still a greater chance of having early-fruiting plants, I advise you to leave one or two of the earliest frame fruit. 1872 Feb. 488/2 Among Tomatoes, Earley's Defiance is considered one of the best, as being an early fruiting sort, and tolerably hardy. 1999 Apr. 69/1 I've not grown ‘Emily’ before, but hope to as it is particularly early fruiting, yet still produces a good crop. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2015; most recently modified version published online June 2022). <  adj.n.OEadv.OE |
