Definition of: advance

(ad·vans′, -väns′) v. ad·vanced, ad·vanc·ing
v.t.
1. To cause to go forward or upward; move forward in position or place.
2. To put in a better or more advantageous situation.
3. To further; promote: to advance the progress of science.
4. To make occur earlier; accelerate.
5. To offer; propose: to advance a suggestion.
6. To raise in rate or price: to advance a discount to five percent.
7. To pay, as money or interest, before legally due.
8. To lend: Can you advance me some money?
9. Law To provide, as financial support, for children, especially before the distribution of an estate.
—v.i.
10. To move or go forward: The armies advance on all fronts.
11. To make progress; rise or improve: The stock market advanced three points. See synonyms under ACCELERATE, AMEND, FLOURISH, INCREASE, PROMOTE, SERVE.
—adjective Of, pertaining to, or being an advance; being before in time or place: an advance payment.
—noun
1. The act of advancing, or the state of being advanced; forward movement; progress; improvement; also, an increase or rise, as of prices.
2. One who or that which is at the head; the foremost part.
3. Anything supplied or paid beforehand; also, the act of so supplying or paying.
4. An act of personal approach: overture; proposal: His advances were rejected.
5. The place at the front, or in the lead.
6. Naut. The distance made by a vessel in the line of a previous course after putting down the helm, as for a tack: distinguished from transfer.
7. In fencing, a swift, short step forward with the right foot, promptly followed by the left, in such a manner as to enable the fencer to retain balance and be in readiness for parry, etc. See synonyms under PROGRESS. [ME avancen <OF avancier <L ab- away + ante before; the initial a- was later altered to ad- as if from L ad- to, toward]
—in advance
1. In front.
2. Before due; beforehand.
—ad·vanc′er noun