advances

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
advance/ədˈvɑːns/

▶verb

• 1 move forwards.

  ■ cause to occur at an earlier date than planned.

• 2 make or cause to make progress.

• 3 put forward (a theory or suggestion).

• 4 hand over (payment) to (someone) as a loan or before it is due.

▶noun

• 1 a forward movement.

• 2 a development or improvement.

• 3 an amount of money advanced.

• 4 an approach made with the aim of initiating a sexual or amorous relationship.

▶adjective done, sent, or supplied beforehand: advance payment.

– phrases
in advance ahead in time.

– derivatives
advancer noun.

– origin ME: from OFr. avance (n.), avancer (v.), from late L. abante ‘in front’, from ab ‘from’ + ante ‘before’.