In or during the first part of a period of time, course of action, or series of events: In or during the first part of a period of time, a course of action, a series of events, etc. In the first part of a period of time, e.:
Pope Saint Miltiades (unknown date) Public Domain Byzantine Icon
The meaning of early is near the beginning of a period of time. Near the beginning of a period of time, or before the usual, expected, or planned time: See examples of early used in a sentence.
In the early part of the morning:
Early meaning, definition, what is early: How to use early in a sentence.