Definitions
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- adjective occurring at a prior time.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- adjective
comparative form ofearly : moreearly - adjective occurring
previously - adverb
comparative form ofearly : moreearly - adverb
previously ; before now;sooner
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- adverb earlier in time; previously
- adjective (comparative and superlative of `early') more early than; most early
- adverb comparatives of `soon' or `early'
- adverb before now
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
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Examples
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Santorum scolded Romney for using the term in a recent debate: The governor used a term earlier that I shrink from.
Gerald McEntee: Mitt Romney and the 1% Gerald McEntee 2012
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Romney "used a term earlier that - that I shrink from, and it's one that I don't think we should be using as Republicans: 'middle class,'" Santorum said during the nationally televised debate at the Dana Center at St. Anselm College.
All Stories 2012
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And to be honest, since David has broadly hinted to me and others that he would only serve one more term, I believed that he would retire a term earlier than he intended in the circumstances.
The Full Feed from HuffingtonPost.com Luke Johnson 2012
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"And the governor used a term earlier that I shrink from, and it's one that I don't think we should be using as Republicans: 'middle class.'"
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Associated Press A.C. Milan fans gather to celebrate the club's Serie A title earlier this month.
Why Fandom Matters More in Italy Gabriele Marcotti 2011
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Conservative blogger Glenn Reynolds employed the term earlier this week.
The foolishness of the 'blood libel' charge Adam Serwer 2011
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I remembered then that I had told him my name earlier in the lobby.
Fat Chance Rhonda Pollero 2009
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I remembered then that I had told him my name earlier in the lobby.
Fat Chance Rhonda Pollero 2009
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I remembered then that I had told him my name earlier in the lobby.
Fat Chance Rhonda Pollero 2009
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EMI was forced to cut 2,000 jobs after the Rolling Stones jumped ship on the label earlier this year.
Lily Allen Retiring 2008
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