advance

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

• intransitive verb To cause to move forward.
• intransitive verb To put forward; propose or suggest.
• intransitive verb To aid the growth or progress of.
• intransitive verb To raise in rank; promote.
• intransitive verb To cause to occur sooner.
• intransitive verb To raise in amount or rate; increase.
• intransitive verb To pay (money or interest) before due.
• intransitive verb To supply or lend, especially on credit.
• intransitive verb To serve as an advance person for (a trip to be made by a politician or a dignitary).
• intransitive verb Archaic To lift.
• intransitive verb To go or move forward or onward.
• intransitive verb To move against another, as when attacking.
• intransitive verb To make progress; improve.
• intransitive verb To rise in rank, position, or value.
• intransitive verb To serve as an advance person for a trip to be made by a politician or a dignitary.
• noun The act or process of moving or going forward.
• noun A forward move, as toward an objective; a progressive step.
• noun An increase of price or value.
• noun Opening approaches made to secure acquaintance, favor, or an agreement; overtures.
• noun The furnishing of funds or goods on credit.
• noun The funds or goods so furnished; a loan.
• noun Payment of money before due.
• noun The money so paid.
• noun Preparation, especially publicity, done prior to the appearance of a public figure or the staging of a public event.
• adjective Made or given ahead of time.
• adjective Going before, in front, or forward.
• idiom (in advance) Ahead of time; beforehand.
• idiom (in advance of) In front of; ahead of.

from The Century Dictionary.

• noun The angular interval in excess of 90° which the center-line of an engine-eccentric makes with the center-line of the engine-crank.
• noun In fencing, a quick move of the right foot a few inches forward, followed instantly by the left foot, but so that the fencer keeps his equilibrium and is ready for parry, or the forward lunge of the right foot.
• To bring forward in place; move further in front.
• To forward in time; accelerate: as, to advance the growth of plants.
• To improve or make better; benefit; promote the good of: as, to advance one's true interests.
• To promote; raise to a higher rank: as, to advance one from the bar to the bench.
• To raise; enhance: as, to advance the price of goods.
• To offer or propose; bring to view or notice, as something one is prepared to abide by; allege; adduce; bring forward: as, to advance an opinion or an argument.
• In com., to supply beforehand; furnish on credit, or before goods are delivered or work is done, or furnish as part of a stock or fund; supply or pay in expectation of reimbursement: as, to advance money on loan or contract, or toward a purchase or an establishment.
• To raise; lift up; elevate.
• To put forth or exhibit with a view to display.
• . To commend; extol; vaunt.
• To impel; incite.
• Synonyms To elevate, exalt, prefer, aggrandize, dignify.
• To increase, augment.
• Adduce, Allege, Assign (see adduce); propound, bring forward, lay down.
• To move or go forward; proceed: as, the troops advanced.
• To improve or make progress; grow, etc.: as, to advance in knowledge, stature, wisdom, rank, office, dignity, or age.
• To increase in quantity, price, etc.: as, the stock advanced three points.