The term 'LIKE EARLY-MORNING HOURS' can be summarized as referring to a time of day that is similar to the early morning hours. This could refer to any time of day that is relatively early, such as the hours before noon or the hours before sunrise. It could also refer to a time of day that has a similar atmosphere to the early morning, such as a quiet and peaceful time. The crossword solution for this term is 'WEE', which is an old-fashioned word meaning 'SMALL' or 'LITTLE'.