advance

verb

• 1 [no object] move forwards in a purposeful way:he advanced towards the dispatch box the troops advanced on the capital
• move forward in time:as the nineteenth century advanced
• [with object] change the date of (an event) so as to occur earlier than planned:I advanced the schedule by several weeks

• 2make or cause to make progress: [no object]:our knowledge is advancing all the time [with object]:it was a chance to advance his own interests
• [no object] (of shares) increase in price: the food group advanced 12p to 639p

• 3 [with object] put forward (a theory or suggestion):the hypothesis I wish to advance in this article

• 4 [with two objects] lend (money) to (someone):the building society advanced them a loan
• pay (money) to (someone) before it is due:he advanced me a month’s salary

noun

• 1a forward movement:the rebels' advance on Madrid was well under way figurativethe advance of civilization

• 2a development or improvement:advances in engineering techniques [mass noun]:decades of great scientific advance
• an increase in amount or price:share prices showed significant advances

• 3an amount of money paid before it is due or for work only partly completed:the author was paid a £250,000 advance
• a loan:an advance from the bank

• 4 (usually advances) an approach made to someone with the aim of initiating sexual or amorous relations:her tutor made advances to her

adjective

• done, sent, or supplied beforehand:advance notice