early

形容词 early:

1. at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
2. being or occurring at an early stage of development
3. belonging to the distant past
   同义词：former, other
4. very young
5. of an early stage in the development of a language or literature
6. expected in the near future

副词 early:

1. during an early stage
   同义词：early on
2. before the usual time or the time expected
   同义词：ahead of time, too soon
3. in good time
   同义词：betimes

1. Many conservatives in the early 1900's thought impressionistic art was decadent.
   20世纪初，许多保守主义者认为印象派的艺术是颓废的。
2. I'm not sure if our book will be a success it's early days yet.
   我们这本书是否受欢迎，我没有把握－－现在言之过早。
3. We shall find out the truth early or late.
   我们迟早会查明事实真相。
4. It's too early for getting up.
   现在起床还太早。

ear.ly

adj.（形容词）
ear.li.er,ear.li.est
Of or occurring near the beginning of a given series, period of time, or course of events:
早先的，早的：发生在一个系列、一段时间或事件过程之中的靠近初始阶段的：
例句：
in the early morning; scored two runs in the early innings.
清晨；在前几个回合中就得了两分

Of or belonging to a previous or remote period of time:
初期的，早期的：属于时间的早期或初期的部分：
例句：
the early inhabitants of the British Isles.
不列颠岛上的早期居民

Of or belonging to an initial stage of development:
初级阶段：处于发展阶段的早期部分：
例句：
an early form of life; an early computer.
早期的生活方式；早期的电脑

Occurring, developing, or appearing before the expected or usual time:
提早的，早来的：比原定时间或平常习惯时间早些发生、出现或发展：
例句：
an early spring; an early retirement.
早到的春天；提前退休

Maturing or developing relatively soon:
早熟的：相对来说较快地发育成熟：
例句：
an early variety of tomato.
早熟的西红柿品种

Occurring in the near future:
很快的：在近日就发生的：
例句：
Observers predicted an early end to the negotiations.
观察家预言谈判不久将结束

adv.（副词）
ear.lier,ear.liest
Near the beginning of a given series, period of time, or course of events:
早期地：发生在一系列事件、一段时间或事件过程中初始或靠近初始的阶段：
例句：
departed early in the day; scored important victories early in the campaign.
大清早离开；战役初期就获得重大胜利

At or during a remote or initial period:
初期地，古代地：属于时间的早期或初期阶段：
例句：
decided very early to go into medicine.
很早就决定从事医务工作

Before the expected or usual time:
提早地，早来地：比原定时间或平常时间早地：
例句：
arrived at the meeting a few minutes early.
提早几分钟到达会场

Soon in relation to others of its kind:
早熟地，较快地：比同类品种相对早地：
例句：
a rose that was cultivated to bloom early.
经过培育而早开的玫瑰

来源：
Middle English erli
中古英语 erli
from Old English ôrloce
源自 古英语 ôrloce
ôr [before] * see ayer-
ôr [在…之前] *参见 ayer-
-loce [adv. suff.] * see -ly 2
-loce [后缀，表.副词.] *参见 -ly2

【引伸】
ear.liness
n.（名词）