Not before time, returning with others (4)
I believe the answer is:
late
'not before time returning with others' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'returning with others' is the wordplay.
'returning' says the letters should be written backwards.
'with others' becomes 'et al' (short for 'et alia', Latin for 'and others').
'etal' written backwards gives 'LATE'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for late that I've seen before include "Overdue; dead" , "after the sell-by date?" , "Dead or dilatory" , "Former; behind time" , "Dead or not punctual" .)