advance (advans)

[F. avance; from the verb.] 1. A moving forward or toward the front; a forward course; progre in space: as, our advance was impeded by obstructions. Don Alonzo de Aguila and his companions, in their eager advance, had got entangled in deep glens and the dry beds of torrents. Irving , Granada, p. 90. 2. Milit., the order or signal to advance: as, the advance was sounded.-3. A step forward; actual progre in any course of action: often in the plural: as, an advance in religion or knowledge; civilization has made great ad vances in this century. Witne the advance from a rustic's conception of the Earth to that which a travelled geologist has reached. H. Spencer, Prin. of Psychol., § 481. 4. An act of approach; an effort for approximation or agreement; anything done to bring about accord or any relation with another or others: with to before the person and toward before the object or purpose: as, A made an advance or advances to B, or toward acquaintance with B. Frederic had some time before made advances toward a reconciliation with Voltaire. Macaulay, Frederic the Great. 5. A forward position; place in front, at the head, or in the lead: as, his regiment took the advance in the march.-6. The state of being forward or in front; a being or going at the head or in the lead: chiefly in the phrase in advance: as, the groom rode in advance of the carriage; he is far in advance of the other pupils. In this sense the word is often used in compo sition, sometimes without joining, giving it the appear ance of an adjective, as it has been called in such use, al though it is never really one. Thus, an advance (-) agent is an agent sent out in advance of a theatrical company, exhibition, etc., to make preliminary arrangements; an advance ( ditch or fo is a ditch around the esplanade or glacis of a fortified place, and hence in advance of it; advance (-) sheets are sheets of a printed work sent to somebody in advance of publication. 7. He who or that which is at the head or in the lead; the foremost or forward part; especially, the leading body of an army. A ABC , ship's track. D helm was put over.-In advance. (a) Before; in front: as, the cavalry marched in advance, or in advance of the artillery. See above, 6. (b) Be forehand; before an equivalent is received: as, to pay rent in advance. B, point where helm is put over. DC, advance of curve B C. BD, transfer S } They paid you in advance the dearest tribute of their affection. Junius, To the King, 1769. (c) In the state or condition of having made an advance: as, A is in advance to B a you sand dollars. = Syn. Advance ment, Proficiency , etc. See progre , n. advance able (ad-van'sa-bl), a. [ advance + -able.] Capable of being advanced. advance-bill (ad-vans'bil), n. vance-note. advanced (ad-vanst'), p. a. 1. Situated in front of or before others. Hence-2. In the front; forward; being in advance of or beyond others in attainments, degree, etc.: as, an ad vanced Liberal. Same as ad The most advanced strategic ideas of the day. Grote, Hist. Greece, II. 86. 3. Having reached a comparatively late stage, as of development, progre , life, etc.: as, he is now at an advanced age.