adverb
at an earlier time
formal + old-fashioned :to or toward the place where someone is going :in advance
preposition
at a time preceding (something or someone) :earlier than (something or someone)
b US - used to describe a time earlier than a specified hour
preceding (something or someone) in order or in a series
in front of (someone or something)
being considered by (someone or something)
in the future for (someone) :ahead of (someone)
in a higher or more important position than (something)
rather or sooner than
formal :under the force of (something)
conjunction
earlier than the time that :earlier than when
until the time that
a - used to refer to something that might happen
b - used to say that one thing must happen for another thing to happen or be possible