Definition: In Old English, the term "early" usually refers to the first decade or two years after the invention of writing. This could be from around 500 BC to around 400 AD.
The exact number and length of these years can vary depending on the context, but it's generally thought that they spanned several decades.
The term "Old English" itself comes from an Old French word meaning "before the others." So, in this sense, "early" is a term that implies time before other languages or dialects. It could be considered to be part of the historical period known as the "Old Indo-European Age."
If you want a more specific definition of "early," it would depend on what context you're referring to. If you're looking for something like the year between 500 and 400 BC, this term likely refers to writing, not specifically to time periods within those decades.
For example, in a history or literature class, the term might refer to a period of about five centuries that saw significant developments in language and writing systems. In other contexts, it could apply more broadly to any era where language was early in its development.
(in dates) early Old English