Avauntage

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A favourable position or edge over rivals ; a useful benefit or gain that someone receives ; to be of use to someone or help them prosper
2. An advantageous standing that puts one ahead of others ; a helpful gain or profit ; to serve the interest of a person and bring them profit
3. The superior place or edge that gives one an upper hand ; a beneficial result or profit obtained from something ; to bring benefit or gain to another

Etymology: In Latin, "ab ante" meant "from before," and it gave Old French "avant," meaning "before" or "forward." From that came "avantage," which meant a gain or benefit of almost any kind. Early English uses of "avauntage" were closer to "advancement" or "profit" than to the modern idea of having the upper hand over a rival. The same root appears in "vantage," as in "vantage point," a place with a forward view, and in "avaunt," an old command meaning "go forward" that came to mean "away." Tennis still uses "advantage" for the moment after deuce when one player is a single point ahead, which preserves the sense of getting ahead of an opponent.

Synonyms: advantage

Antonyms: disadvantage