Etymology Dictionary

ADVANCE,  to go forward.  (F.,—L.)   [The modern spelling is not good; the inserted d is due to the odd mistake of supposing that, in the old form avance, the prefix is a-, and represents the Lat. ad.  The truth is, that the prefix is av-, and represents the Lat. ab.  The inserted d came in about A.D. 1500, and is found in the Works of Sir T. More, who has aduauncement, p. 1369.   The older spelling is invariably without the d.]   M.E. avancen, avauncen.   Chaucer has 'auaunced and forthered,' tr. of Boethius, b. ii. pr. 4, l. 1057.  The word is common, and occurs in Rob. of Glouc. p. 77.—O.F. avancer (F. avancer), to go before.—O. and mod. F. avant, before.—Low Lat. ab ante, also written abante, before (Brachet).—Lat. ab, from; ante, before.  See Ante-, and Van.   Der. advance-ment; and see Advantage.