advertisement, advertisement

[In Ger. & Fr. averti ement.] I The act of advertising. 1. Gen. The act of advertising, intimating, or giving notice of anything. *2. Spec.: Admonition. "My griefs cry louder than advertisement ." Shakesp.: Much Ado about Nothing , v. 1. II. The state of being advertised, ability to be advertised. IIL That which advertises. 1. Gen.: Intimation in any way of something which has occurred. "K. Hen . The Earl of West more land set forth to-day; With him my son, Lord John of Lancaster; For this advertisement is five days old." Shakesp.: Henry IV ., Part I. , iii. 2. 2. Spec.: A public announcement, notice, or statement in the columns of a newspaper or other public print, giving information regarding a private or public undertaking, stating a want or a fact or a coming event, and usually paid for by the party to be benefited by such announcement. Circulars, handbills, posters, and signs of various kinds are advertisements, but the term is quite commonly restricted to announcements appearing in newspapers, magazines, theatrical programmes and the like.