Lord, one by loch, being present before expected time? (9)
I believe the answer is:
earliness
'present before expected time?' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both human attributes as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'lord one by loch' is the wordplay.
'lord' becomes 'earl' (earl is a kind of lord).
'one' becomes 'i' (Roman numeral).
'by' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'loch' becomes 'ness' (Loch Ness in Scotland).
'earl'+'i'+'ness'='EARLINESS'
'being' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for earliness that I've seen before include "Ere snails? (Anag)" , "being in good time" .)