predawn

noun

1. (countable, uncountable)The period immediately preceding dawn.

adj

1. (not-comparable)Before dawn.

   “A thick layer of mist, gray and ghostly in the predawn glow, emanated from the water, as if witchfire burned upon the surface of the liquid.”

   “Sparks erupted from the bottom of a FedEx cargo jet as it made a predawn emergency landing Wednesday at Los Angeles International Airport, officials said.”