EARLY, adjective er'ly. [Eng.ere.] 1. In advance of something else; prior in time; forward; as early fruit, that is, fruit that comes to maturity before other fruit; early growth; early manhood; early old age or decrepitude, that is, premature old age. So an early spring; an early harvest. 2. First; being at the beginning; as early dawn. 3. Being in good season; as, the court met at an early hour. EARLY, adverb er'ly. Soon; in good season; betimes; as, rise early; come early; begin early to instill into children principles of piety. Those who seek me early shall find me. Proverbs 8:17.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI