Definition of "earlier" []

• Comparative form of early: more early (adjective)
• Occurring previously (adjective)
• Comparative form of early: more early (adverb)
• Previously; before now; sooner (adverb)

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• "Santorum scolded Romney for using the term in a recent debate: The governor used a term earlier that I shrink from."
• ""And the governor used a term earlier that I shrink from, and it's one that I don't think we should be using as Republicans: 'middle class.'""
• "Romney "used a term earlier that - that I shrink from, and it's one that I don't think we should be using as Republicans: 'middle class,'" Santorum said during the nationally televised debate at the Dana Center at St. Anselm College."