1.at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time;
early morning
2.being or occurring at an early stage of development;
in an early stage
3.of the distant past;
the early inhabitants of Europe
4.very young;
at an early age
5.of an early stage in the development of a language or literature;
the Early Hebrew alphabetical script is that used mainly from the 11th to the 6th centuries B.C.
6.expected in the near future;
look for an early end to the negotiations
7.during an early stage;
early on in her career
8.before the usual time or the time expected;
she graduated early
9.in good time;
he awoke betimes that morning