Emily Dickinson Lexicon

advance (-d, -s), v. [OFr avance-r, move forward < L. ab- off, away + ante, before.] (webplay: bar, before, death, further, greater, old, price, the front, true, way).

1. Continue; endure; persevere; succeed.
2. Proceed; progress in space; move forward in time.
3. Come forward; move towards; draw near.
4. Approach; [word play] supply funds; furnish on credit; pay for something.
5. Phrase. “Advancing on”: approaching; confronting; catching up with.