[f. EARLY a. + -NESS.] The state or condition of being early; formerly also, promptitude, zeal.
a. 1626. Donne, Serm. (1640), xxv. 245. There is a youth in our age, and an earlinesse acceptable to God, in every action.
1640. Bp. Hall, Episc., I. § 12. 52. Our owne Authours are frequently alledged for the earlinesse of this Apostasie.
1682. Addr. fr. Worcester, in Lond. Gaz., No. 1707/5. Our former Earliness and Stability in Duty, had given us the Character of the Loyal City of Worcester.
1820. Scott, Monast., II. 203. That we may strive to-morrow with the sun’s earliness to wake a stag from his lair.
1866. Mrs. Gaskell, Wives & Dau., I. xxix. 328. No one objected to the earliness of his call.
