advance

ad|vance1 [ əd`væns ] noun **

1. ) count or uncount progress or an instance of progress in science, technology, human knowledge, etc.:

In spite of all its advances, medical science still knows little about the brain.

advance in: major advances in computer technology

the advance of something: ethical questions raised by the advance of genetic engineering

2. ) count a forward movement toward someone or something, especially by an army:

The rebels continued their advance on the capital city.

3. ) count a payment for work that is given before the work is complete:

The author has signed a publishing deal for an advance of $800,000.

a ) money that is paid to someone before the usual time:

I asked for an advance on next month's wages.

4. ) advances plural an attempt to have a sexual relationship with someone, especially when this is not welcome:

make advances: Evans denied making sexual advances to her.

in advance

if you do something in advance, you do it in preparation for a particular time or event in the future:

Details of the meeting had been circulated well in advance.

in advance of: Parents are sent a reading list a few weeks in advance of the start of the school year.

advance

ad|vance 2 [ əd`væns ] verb **

▸ 1 move forward

▸ 2 progress

▸ 3 suggest

▸ 4 give/lend money

▸ 5 increase

1. ) intransitive or transitive to move forward and toward someone or something:

Before he could advance another step, the men ran away.

advance on: Troops are advancing on the village.

a ) transitive to make something such as a movie or VIDEOTAPE move forward:

The technician advanced the tape by a few frames.

2. ) intransitive to progress and become better or more developed:

Information technology has advanced dramatically since the 1960s.

His cancer had now advanced so far that it could not be treated.

a ) transitive to help something progress and become more developed or successful:

They use the Internet as a tool to advance their research.

He will do anything to advance his career.

We are working to advance the cause of world peace.

3. ) transitive FORMAL to suggest something for people to consider:

She advanced the theory that children learn more from their friends than from their parents.

4. ) transitive to give or lend someone money before the usual time or before they do something:

I asked the school to advance the funds for my trip.

advance someone something: The bank is refusing to advance him any money.

5. ) intransitive BUSINESS to increase in value:

Stock market trading advanced slightly today.

advance

ad|vance 3 [ əd`væns ] adjective only before noun

1. ) done, obtained, or announced before a particular time or event:

We require 30 days' advance notice if you wish to cancel your membership.

There was no advance warning before the earthquake hit.

advance reservations/tickets

2. ) sent to a place before a larger group that will arrive later:

an advance party/team/unit