Real reform that is right before time (7)
I believe the answer is:
earlier
'real reform that is right before time' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adverbs. Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?
'real reform that is right' is the wordplay.
'reform' is an anagram indicator (letters in a new form).
'that is' becomes 'ie' (abbreviation for id est, 'that is' in Latin).
'right' becomes 'r' (abbreviation).
'real' with letters rearranged gives 'earl'.
'earl'+'ie'+'r'='EARLIER'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for earlier that I've seen before include "at a previous date" , "(Happening) before in time" , "of a bygone age?" , "Beforehand" , "Sooner - previously" .)