(adj) (comparative and superlative of `early') more early than; most early, Syn. earliest, Example:a fashion popular in earlier times; his earlier work reflects the influence of his teacher; Verdi's earliest and most raucous opera
(adv) earlier in time; previously, Syn. before, Example:I had known her before; as I said before; he called me the day before but your call had come even earlier; her parents had died four years earlier; I mentioned that problem earlier
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English (GCIDE) v.0.53 Collaborative International Dictionary (GCIDE)