Etymology Map
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Advance

3 stages from Late Latin to English.

Today it means to move forward; to make progress

Where does the word "advance" come from? It comes from Late Latin abante, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
abante
Late Latin · ancient
"from before"
Late Latin, from 'ab', from, plus 'ante', before
2
Stage 2 of 3
avancier
Old French · medieval
"to move forward"
the 'd' was inserted in English by mistaken analogy with 'ad-' words
3
Stage 3 of 3
advance
English · 1200s
"to move forward"
first recorded before 1250 in the 'Ancrene Riwle', a guide for anchoresses full of new French loans; 'in advance' and 'advance payment' came later
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Read the full story

Advance’s story begins in Late Latin: abante meant “from before.” Late Latin, from 'ab', from, plus 'ante', before. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as avancier. The 'd' was inserted in English by mistaken analogy with 'ad-' words. It reached English by 1200s as advance. First recorded before 1250 in the 'Ancrene Riwle', a guide for anchoresses full of new French loans; 'in advance' and 'advance payment' came later. Today, advance means to move forward; to make progress.