Earlier
the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
adjective.
occurring at a prior time.
Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
adjective.
comparative
form of
early
: more
early
adjective.
occurring
previously
adverb.
comparative
form of
early
: more
early
adverb.
previously
; before now;
sooner
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
Word Usage
"Santorum scolded Romney for using the term in a recent debate: The governor used a term earlier that I shrink from."