Meanings

early retirement

treasury bill

early retirement program

short-term loan

soft loan

long-term credit bank

expectant right (as opposed to a vested right)

long period (of time)

postponed because of rain

early (prompt) settlement

deathbed adoption of a successor (to prevent extinction of the family line)

off period

to fix (a time, date, etc.)

staggered terms (applied to corporate directors as a defensive measure against hostile takeovers)

thawing season

training period

short cycle

short-term plan

(time limit imposed by the) statute of limitations

alluvial period