Crossword Genius

Lord that is holy person, coming before all others (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

earliest

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'before all others' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'lord that is holy person coming' is the wordplay.
'lord' becomes 'earl' (earl is a kind of lord).
'that is' becomes 'ie' (short for Latin 'id est', 'that is').
'holy person coming' becomes 'st' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'earl'+'ie'+'st'='EARLIEST'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for earliest that I've seen before include "Very first in a sterile manner" , "Next available" , "Original or most previous" , "Furthest back in time" , "Ateliers (anag.)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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