Emily Dickinson Lexicon
Definition for AD-VANT'AGE
AD-VANT'AGE, n. [Fr. avantage, from avant, before; It. vantaggio; Sp. ventaja.]
- Any state, condition, or circumstance, favorable to success, prosperity, interest, or reputation; as, the enemy had the advantage of elevated ground.
- Benefit, gain, profit. What advantage will it be to thee? – Job xxxv. There exists, in the economy and course of nature, an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness; between duty and advantage. – Washington.
- Means to an end; opportunity; convenience for obtaining benefit; as, students enjoy great advantages for improvement; the general took advantage of his enemy's negligence.
- Favorable state or circumstances; as, jewels set to advantage.
- Superiority, or prevalence over; with of or over. Lest Satan should get an advantage of us [or over us]. – 2 Cor. ii.
- Superiority, or that which gives it; as, the advantage of a good constitution.
- Interest; increase; overplus. And with advantage means to pay thy love. [Obs.] – Shak.
- Additional circumstance to give preponderation.
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