Advance \Ad*vance"\, n. [Cf. F. avance, fr. avancer. See Advance, v.]

1. The act of advancing or moving forward or upward; progress.

2. Improvement or progression, physically, mentally, morally, or socially; as, an advance in health, knowledge, or religion; an advance in rank or office.

3. An addition to the price; rise in price or value; as, an advance on the prime cost of goods.

4. The first step towards the attainment of a result; approach made to gain favor, to form an acquaintance, to adjust a difference, etc.; an overture; a tender; an offer; -- usually in the plural.

[He] made the like advances to the dissenters. --Swift.

5. A furnishing of something before an equivalent is received (as money or goods), towards a capital or stock, or on loan; payment beforehand; the money or goods thus furnished; money or value supplied beforehand.

I shall, with pleasure, make the necessary advances. --Jay.

The account was made up with intent to show what advances had been made. --Kent.

In advance
   (a) In front; before.
   (b) Beforehand; before an equivalent is received.
   (c) In the state of having advanced money on account; as, A is in advance to B a thousand dollars or pounds.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)