Ad-văn′tage1, n.
(6, 45), n. [O. Fr. advantage, N. Fr. avantage, Pr. avantatge, It. vantaggio, for avantaggio, Sp. ventaja, Pg. ventajem, from Fr. avant, &c. See ADVANCE.] 1. Any state, condition, circumstance, opportunity, or means, particularly favorable to success, prosperity, interest, or reputation, or to any desired end; as, the enemy had the advantage of a more elevated position. “The advantages of a close alliance.” Macaulay. Give me advantage of some brief discourse. Shak. The stars Watch an advantage to appear. Herbert.
- Superiority or prevalence;—with of or over. “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us” [i. e., over us]. 2 Cor. ii. 11.
- Superiority of state, or that which gives it; benefit; gain; profit; as, the advantage of a good constitution.
- Increase or overplus. [Obs.]
And with advantage means to pay thy love. Shak.
Synonyms—ADVANTAGE, ADVANTAGEOUS, BENEFIT, BENEFICIAL. We speak of a thing as a benefit, or beneficial, when it is simply productive of good; as, the benefits of early discipline; the beneficial effects of adversity. We speak of a thing as an advantage, or as advantageous when it affords us the means of getting forward, and places us on a “vantage ground” for further effort. Hence, there is a difference between the benefits and the advantages of early education; between a beneficial and an advantageous investment of money. Offered life Neglect not, and the benefit embrace By faith, not void of works. Milton. Count all the advantage prosperous vice attains, ’Tis but what virtue flies from and disdains. Pope.