earliest

adjective

Preceding all others in time: first, initial, maiden, original, pioneer, primary, prime, primordial. See start/end.

IN BRIEF: The closest to the beginning of a period of time. First or original. adv. - With the least delay.

Hope is both the earliest and the most indispensable virtue inherent in the state of being alive. — Erik Homburger Erikson

Note: click on a word meaning below to see its connections and related words.

The adjective has one meaning:

Meaning #1: (comparative and superlative of `early') more early than; most early
  Synonym: earlier

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The adverb earliest has one meaning:

Meaning #1: with the least delay
  Synonym: soonest

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