1. (n.) The act of advancing, or the state of being advanced; progression; improvement; furtherance; promotion to a higher place or dignity; as, the advancement of learning.

2. (n.) An advance of money or value; payment in advance. See Advance.

3. (v. t.) Property given, usually by a parent to a child, in advance of a future distribution.

4. (v. t.) Settlement on a wife, or jointure.

Great Leap Forward accomplishment advance advancing aggrandizement amelioration amendment amplification anabasis ascent bettering betterment blossoming boost career course development developmental change dignification elaboration elevation enhancement enlargement ennoblement enrichment eugenics euthenics evolution evolutionary change evolvement evolving exaltation expansion expediting expedition explication facilitation flowering forward motion forwardal forwarding furtherance furthering go-ahead gradual change graduation growth headway helping along improvement knighting lend-lease lending lending at interest lift loan-sharking loaning magnification march maturation melioration mend mending moneylending natural development natural growth nonviolent change ongoing onward course passage passing pay raise pickup preference preferential treatment preferment proficiency progress progression progressiveness promotion raise raising recovery restoration revival ripening rise rolling rolling on rushing shylocking special treatment speeding travel upbeat upgrading uplift uplifting upping upswing uptrend upward mobility usury way