ADV'ANCE, verb transitive adv'ans. [Heb. surface, face; whence.]

1. To bring forward; to move further in front. Hence,

2. To promote; to raise to a higher rank; as, to advance one from the bar to the bench.

3. To improve or make better, which is considered as a progression or moving forward; as, to advance one's true interests.

4. To forward; to accelerate growth; as, to advance the growth of plants.

5. To offer or propose; to bring to view or notice; as, to advance an opinion or an argument.

6. In commerce, to supply beforehand; to furnish on credit, or before goods are delivered, or work done; or to furnish as a part of a stock or fund; as, to advance money on loan or contract, or towards a purchase or establishment.

7. To furnish for others; to supply or pay for others, in expectation of reimbursement.

They advanced the money out of their own funds, and took the sheriff's deeds in their own name.

8. To raise; to enhance; as, to advance the price of goods.

ADV'ANCE, verb intransitive

1. To move or go forward; to proceed; as, the troops advanced.

2. To improve, or make progress; to grow better, greater, wiser or older; as, to advance in knowledge, in stature, in wisdom, or in years.

3. To rise in rank, office, or consequence; to be preferred, or promoted; as, to advance in political standing.

ADV'ANCE, noun

1. A moving forward, or towards the front.

2. Gradual progression; improvement; as, an advance in religion or knowledge.

3. Advancement; promotion; preferment; as, an advance in rank or office.

4. First hint by way of invitation; first step towards an agreement; as, A made an advance towards a reconciliation with B. In this sense, it is very frequently used in the plural.

The amours of an empress require the plainest advances.

5. In trade, additional price; profit; as, an advance on the prime cost of goods.

6. A giving beforehand; a furnishing of something, on contract, before an equivalent is received, as money or goods, towards a capital or stock, or on loan; or the money or goods thus furnished; as, A made large advances to B.

7. A furnishing of money or goods for others, in expectation of reimbursement; or the property so furnished.

I shall, with great pleasure, make the necessary advances.

The account was made up with intent to show what advances had been made.

In advance in front; before; also beforehand; before an equivalent is received, or when one partner in trade has furnished more than his proportion; as, A is in advance to B a thousand dollars or pounds.