| early seral species | <plant biology> Shrubs, such as ceanothus, and hardwoods, usually in tree form, such as red alder, bitter cherry and big leaf maple. These species start growing in natural succession soon after a disturbance (fire or logging). (05 Dec 1998) |
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| early stage breast cancer | <oncology> Cancer is confined to the breast and has not spread to other sites in the body. (16 Dec 1997) |
| early syphilis | Primary, secondary, or early latent syphilis, before any tertiary manifestations have appeared. (05 Mar 2000) |