Noah Webster
Early
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.