at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time; "early morning"; "an early warning"; "early diagnosis"; "an early death"; "took early retirement"; "an early spring"; "early varieties of peas and tomatoes mature before most standard varieties"
being or occurring at an early stage of development; "in an early stage"; "early forms of life"; "early man"; "an early computer"
of an early stage in the development of a language or literature; "the Early Hebrew alphabetical script is that used mainly from the 11th to the 6th centuries B.C."; "Early Modern English is represented in documents printed from 1476 to 1700"
very young; "at an early age"
expected in the near future; "look for an early end to the negotiations"
before the usual time or the time expected; "she graduated early"; "the house was completed ahead of time"
(chess) the capture by both players (usually on consecutive moves) of pieces of equal value; "the endgame began after the exchange of queens"
(chess) gaining (or losing) a rook in return for a knight or bishop; "black lost the exchange"
reciprocal transfer of equivalent sums of money especially the currencies of different countries; "he earns his living from the interchange of currency"
the act of giving something in return for something received; "deductible losses on sales or exchanges of property are allowable"
the act of changing one thing for another thing; "Adam was promised immortality in exchange for his disobedience"; "there was an exchange of prisoners"
a workplace for buying and selling; open only to members
a mutual expression of views (especially an unpleasant one); "they had a bitter exchange"
chemical process in which one atom or ion or group changes places with another
give to, and receive from, one another; "Would you change places with me?"; "We have been exchanging letters for a year"
hand over one and receive another, approximately equivalent; "exchange prisoners"; "exchange employees between branches of the company"
improve the condition of; "These pills will help the patient"
improve; change for the better; "New slipcovers will help the old living room furniture"
give help or assistance; be of service; "Everyone helped out during the earthquake"; "Can you help me carry this table?"; "She never helps around the house"
contribute to the furtherance of; "This money will help the development of literacy in developing countries"