early

I

(Roget's IV) modif.

1. [Near the beginning]

Syn. initial, first, ancient, prehistoric, primitive, primeval, primal, pioneer, pioneering, trailblazing, beginning, prime, new, fresh, budding, raw; see also old 3 .

Ant. late*, modern, superannuated.

2. [Sooner than might have been expected]

Syn. premature(ly), beforehand, in advance, ahead, far ahead, before the time, ahead of time, quick, precocious, preceding, anticipatory, advanced, too soon, untimely, unanticipated, immediate, unexpected, precipitant, speedy, hasty, before the appointed time, in good time, on time, direct, prompt(ly), punctual(ly), briefly, shortly, presently, in the bud, unhatched, immature, unlooked-for, betimes, bright and early*, with the birds*, on the dot*, pronto*, with time to spare*.

Ant. late, slow*, tardy.

3. [Maturing soon]

Syn. dwarf, bush, quick-maturing, early-maturing, early-flowering, hardy, short-stemmed, spring, frostproof, northern.

II

(Roget's 3 Superthesaurus) a.

1. near the beginning preceding, prior, initial, young, aboriginal, primal, primeval, primitive, antediluvian, maiden, original, starting, ancient.

2. too soon premature, ahead of time, beforehand, preceding, advanced, immature, precocious.

ANT.: 1. recent, modern, latter. 2. late, tardy

III

(Roget's Thesaurus II) I adjective 1. At or near the start of a period, development, or series: beginning, first, initial. See START. 2. Of, existing, or occurring in a distant period: ancient, antediluvian, primitive. See START. 3. Developing, occurring, or appearing before the expected time: precocious, premature, untimely. See TIME. II adverb Before the expected time: ahead, beforehand, betimes. Idioms: ahead of time, in advance, with time to spare. See TIME.