Early — novel (8)
I believe the answer is:
original
This clue is a double definition.
'early' is the first definition.
(similar in meaning)
'novel' is the second definition.
(similar in meaning)
(Other definitions for original that I've seen before include "Never seen or performed before" , "From which a copy is made" , "Not derived or copied form something else" , "In first form" , "derivation" .)