adj. 1.at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time 2.being or occurring at an early stage of development 3.of the distant past 4.very young 5.of an early stage in the development of a language or literature 6.expected in the near future early adv. 1.during an early stage 2.before the usual time or the time expected 3.in good time
