Advance - English meaning

idiom

A bad situation

Usage examples:

Things have come to a pretty pass when a referee can no longer be trusted.

verb

Cite as evidence.

Usage examples:

A number of factors are adduced to explain the situation

verb

To give reasons why you think something is true

Usage examples:

None of the evidence adduced in court was conclusive.

noun

The process of promoting a cause or plan.

Usage examples:

Their lives were devoted to the advancement of science

noun

An improvement relating to a particular activity or area of knowledge

Usage examples:

The president's speech to the conference centered on the advancement of alternative fuel sources as…

noun

The development or improvement of something

Usage examples:

All she was interested in was the advancement of her own career.

noun

Help, typically of a practical nature.

Usage examples:

He saw the pilot slumped in his cockpit and went to his aid

verb

Help or support (someone or something) in the achievement of something.

Usage examples:

Women were aided in childbirth by midwives

abbreviation

Artificial insemination by donor.

verb

Make a serious, urgent, or heartfelt request.

Usage examples:

Police are appealing for information about the incident

noun

A serious, urgent, or heartfelt request.

Usage examples:

His mother made an appeal for the return of the ring

verb

To be interesting or attractive

Usage examples:

Such music managed to appeal to the tastes of both young and old., [ t ] the verdict was appealed t…

verb

Come near or nearer to (someone or something) in distance or time.

Usage examples:

The train approached the main line

noun

A way of dealing with a situation or problem.

Usage examples:

We need a whole new approach to the job

verb

Move towards

noun

The action or process of arriving.

Usage examples:

Ruth's arrival in new york

noun

The act of someone or something that reaches a place or comes into existence, or a person or thing that reaches a place

Usage examples:

[ u ] the arrival of the railroad changed the western us., [ u ] the arrival of the new year was gr…

noun

The act of coming to a place

Usage examples:

Two hours after the arrival of 500,000 newspapers, they are sorted into bundles for 2,000 newsagent…

verb

Help (someone), typically by doing a share of the work.

Usage examples:

A senior academic would assist him in his work

noun

An act of giving help, typically by providing money.

Usage examples:

The budget must have an assist from tax policies

verb

To help

Usage examples:

Assist someone with something you will be expected to assist the editor with the selection of illus…

noun

The rear surface of the human body from the shoulders to the hips.

Usage examples:

He lay on his back

adverb

In the opposite direction from the one that one is facing or travelling towards.

Usage examples:

He moved back a pace

verb

Give financial, material, or moral support to.

Usage examples:

He had a newspaper empire backing him

adverb

Before an action or event; in advance.

Usage examples:

Rooms must be booked beforehand

adverb

Earlier (than a particular time); in advance

Usage examples:

She had phoned beforehand to let me know she was coming.

adverb

Earlier (than a particular time)

Usage examples:

I knew she was coming that afternoon because she had phoned beforehand to say so.

noun

An advantage or profit gained from something.

Usage examples:

Enjoy the benefits of being a member

verb

Receive an advantage; profit.

Usage examples:

The areas would benefit from regeneration

noun

A helpful or good effect

Usage examples:

[ c ] it was a giveaway to the rich, he said, and not something that’s a benefit to most americans.…

noun

The improvement of something.

Usage examples:

They believed that what they were doing was vital for the betterment of society

noun

Improvement that is made to something, especially to a property, area, etc.

Usage examples:

Governor o'malley yesterday described the betterment of maryland's infrastructure as an investment …

noun

Improvement

Usage examples:

Several changes have been made for the betterment of the sport.

verb

Help or encourage (something) to increase or improve.

Usage examples:

A range of measures to boost tourism

noun

A source of help or encouragement leading to increase or improvement.

Usage examples:

The cut in interest rates will give a further boost to the economy

verb

To increase or improve something

Usage examples:

The company is looking for ways to boost sales in asia, its biggest market., i tried to boost his m…

noun

A sudden, dramatic, and important discovery or development.

Usage examples:

A major breakthrough in dna research

The act of making an important discovery

noun

An important discovery or event that helps to improve a situation or provide an answer to a problem

Usage examples:

Scientists are hoping for a breakthrough in the search for a cure for cancer., a major breakthrough…

phrasal verb

Produce something, especially when pressured or challenged.

Usage examples:

He keeps coming up with all kinds of lame excuses

phrasal verb

To suggest or think of an idea or plan

Usage examples:

He came up with a great idea for the ad campaign.

phrasal verb

To suggest or think of an idea or plan

Usage examples:

Come up with a plan/idea/solution they came up with a plan to make us more efficient., come up with…

phrasal verb

Move towards

phrasal verb

Used for telling someone to move or act quickly or more quickly

Usage examples:

Come on – we’re going to be late if you don’t hurry!, oh, come on. you have no evidence whatsoever.…

adjective

Due to happen or just beginning.

Usage examples:

Work is due to start in the coming year

noun

An arrival or approach.

Usage examples:

The coming of a new age

verb

Move or travel towards or into a place thought of as near or familiar to the speaker.

Usage examples:

Jessica came into the kitchen

verb

Give (something, especially money) in order to help achieve or provide something.

Usage examples:

Taxpayers had contributed £141.8 million towards the cost of local services

verb

To give something, especially money, in order to provide or achieve something together with other people

Usage examples:

Contribute towards aren't you going to contribute towards jack's leaving present?, come to the meet…

verb

To write articles for a newspaper, magazine, or book

Usage examples:

Contribute to she contributes to several magazines.

phrasal verb

Discharge from the lungs and out of the mouth

phrasal verb

To force liquid out of your lungs

Usage examples:

She coughed up a lot of phlegm., i had to cough up $85 for a parking fine.

phrasal verb

To give money, especially when you do not really want to or when a large amount is involved

Usage examples:

A plan for how the money should be spent was presented, in the hope of persuading donors to cough up.

noun

The ability of a customer to obtain goods or services before payment, based on the trust that payment will be made in the future.

Usage examples:

I've got unlimited credit

verb

Publicly acknowledge a contributor's role in the production of (something published or broadcast).

Usage examples:

The screenplay is credited to one american and two japanese writers

noun

An estimate of ability to fulfill financial commitments

verb

Prepare and use (land) for crops or gardening.

Usage examples:

The peasants who cultivated the land became its owners

verb

To prepare land and grow crops on it, or to grow a particular crop

Usage examples:

He cultivated soybeans on most of the land., we’re trying to help these kids cultivate an interest …

verb

To prepare land and grow crops on it, or to grow a particular crop

Usage examples:

Corn, or maize, is indigenous to mexico and has been cultivated there for some 6,000 years., she ha…

noun

A sum of money paid into a bank or building society account.

Usage examples:

Cash funds which are an alternative to bank or building society deposits

verb

Put or set down (something or someone) in a specific place.

Usage examples:

He deposited a pile of school books on the kitchen table

noun

An amount of money paid into an account

Usage examples:

She made a large deposit last thursday., will you get your deposit back if you cancel the trip?, th…

verb

Grow or cause to grow and become more mature, advanced, or elaborate.

Usage examples:

Motion pictures were to develop into mass entertainment

verb

Progress or evolve through a process of natural growth

verb

To grow or cause to grow or change into a more advanced form

Usage examples:

[ t ] this exercise will help develop the shoulder and back muscles (= it will make them stronger).…

noun

The process of developing or being developed.

Usage examples:

She traces the development of the novel

noun

The process of growing or changing and becoming more advanced

Usage examples:

[ u ] a good diet and lots of exercise are essential for a child’s healthy growth and development.,…

noun

Growth or changes that make something become more advanced

Usage examples:

The first year of the plan is primarily focused on organizational development., he was recruited to…

noun

The action or process of discovering or being discovered.

Usage examples:

The discovery of the body

noun

A dessert apple of a variety with crisp flesh and bright red skin.

Usage examples:

Instead, opt for a locally grown cox, discovery or bramley apple - or a conference or williams pear.

noun

The act of finding something that had not been known before

Usage examples:

[ c ] many scientific discoveries have been made by accident., [ u ] the discovery of gold in calif…

verb

Give (money or goods) for a good cause, for example to a charity.

Usage examples:

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to charity

verb

To give something, esp. to an organization, without wanting anything in exchange

Usage examples:

[ t ] over $12 million was donated to the building fund., [ t ] some businesses have agreed to dona…

verb

To give something of value such as money or goods to help a person or organization such as a charity

Usage examples:

The bank donates 25 cents for every $100 spent using the card., donate sth to sb/sth the commission…

adjective

Happening or done before the usual or expected time.

Usage examples:

We ate an early lunch

adverb

Before the usual or expected time.

Usage examples:

I was planning to finish work early today

noun

Potatoes which are ready to be harvested before the main crop.

Usage examples:

The versatile early potato solanum tuberosum has many varieties, which have their own distinct seas…

verb

Give support, confidence, or hope to (someone).

Usage examples:

We were encouraged by the success of this venture

verb

To make someone more likely to do something, or to make something more likely to happen

Usage examples:

[ t + to infinitive ] we were encouraged to learn foreign languages at school., the council is enco…

verb

To talk or behave in a way that gives someone confidence to do something

Usage examples:

Encourage someone in something they've always encouraged me in everything i've wanted to do.

noun

The process by which different kinds of living organism are believed to have developed from earlier forms during the history of the earth.

Usage examples:

Most do believe that evolution works by natural selection on changes in organisms due to random cha…

noun

A gradual process of change and development

noun

A gradual process of change and development

Usage examples:

The evolution of sth the evolution of modern management began in the last decades of the nineteenth…

adjective

Done in order to discover more about something, or with the intention of discovering new things

Usage examples:

The oil company has had some success with explorative drilling in the area., she has always been kn…

adjective

Relating to or involving exploration or investigation.

Usage examples:

Surgeons performed an exploratory operation

adjective

Intended to learn more about something

Usage examples:

After the illness had dragged on for too long, jake decided that an exploratory operation was neces…

adjective

Done in order to discover more about something

Usage examples:

An exploratory expedition to antarctica, exploratory drilling the oil company will begin explorator…

verb

Make (an action or process) easy or easier.

Usage examples:

Schools were located in the same campus to facilitate the sharing of resources

verb

To make something possible or easier

Usage examples:

To facilitate learning, each class is no larger than 30 students., somerville was charged with cons…

verb

To help people deal with a process or reach an agreement or solution without getting directly involved in the process, discussion, etc. yourself

Usage examples:

An expert negotiator was brought in to facilitate the discussion.

verb

Discover or perceive by chance or unexpectedly.

Usage examples:

Lindsey looked up to find neil watching her

noun

A discovery of something valuable, typically something of archaeological interest.

Usage examples:

He made his most spectacular finds in the valley of the kings

Discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of

noun

The action of finding someone or something.

Usage examples:

A local doctor reported the finding of numerous dead rats

verb

Discover or perceive by chance or unexpectedly.

Usage examples:

Lindsey looked up to find neil watching her

noun

Information that has been discovered esp. by detailed study

Preceding all others in time or space or degree

ordinal number

Coming before all others in time or order; earliest; 1st.

Usage examples:

His first wife

ordinal number

Foremost in position, rank, or importance.

Usage examples:

The doctor's first duty is to respect this right

adjective

Most prominent in rank, importance, or position.

Usage examples:

One of the foremost art collectors of his day

adverb

Before anything else in rank, importance, or position; in the first place.

Usage examples:

It was, foremost, the first unequivocal demonstration of the process

adjective

Best known or most important

Usage examples:

He was one of the foremost actors of his day.

phrasal verb

To surrender someone or something to another

phrasal verb

To pay a large amount of money, especially unwillingly

Usage examples:

Investors must fork out $850 to $1,000 for each share they want to buy., fork out for sth if you do…

adverb

In the direction that one is facing or travelling; towards the front.

Usage examples:

He started up the engine and the car moved forward

adjective

Directed or facing towards the front or the direction that one is facing or travelling.

Usage examples:

Forward flight

noun

An attacking player in football, hockey, or other sports.

Usage examples:

Hockey should follow suit with special coaches for goalkeepers, defenders, halfbacks and forwards.

verb

Encourage the development of (something, especially something desirable).

Usage examples:

The teacher's task is to foster learning

combining form

Denoting someone that has a specified family connection through fostering.

Usage examples:

Foster-parent

verb

To take care of a child, usually for a limited time, without being the child's legal parent

Usage examples:

Foster a child would you consider fostering a child?

adverb

At, to, or by a greater distance (used to indicate the extent to which one thing or person is or becomes distant from another).

Usage examples:

For some time i had wanted to move further from london

adjective

More distant in space than something else of the same kind.

Usage examples:

Two men were standing at the further end of the clearing

verb

Help the progress or development of (something); promote.

Usage examples:

He had depended on using them to further his own career

verb

Freely transfer the possession of (something) to (someone).

Usage examples:

She gave him presents and clothes

noun

Capacity to bend or alter in shape under pressure.

Usage examples:

Plastic pots that have enough give to accommodate the vigorous roots

Transfer possession of something concrete or abstract

phrasal verb

To surrender someone or something to another

phrasal verb

To give something to someone, esp. after being asked or told to do this

Usage examples:

Tighter sanctions will be sought unless the suspects are handed over by the end of february.

phrasal verb

To give someone else control of or responsibility for something

Usage examples:

To hand over control/power/responsibility, hand sth over to sb the founder handed the company over …

noun

Forward movement of a ship or boat, especially when this is slow or difficult.

Usage examples:

The ship was making very little headway against heavy seas

noun

To make progress or get closer to achieving something

Usage examples:

I'm trying to learn to drive, but i'm not making much headway (with it)., little headway has been m…

verb

Make it easier or possible for (someone) to do something by offering one's services or resources.

Usage examples:

They helped her with domestic chores

noun

The action of helping someone to do something.

Usage examples:

I asked for help from my neighbours

exclamation

Used as an appeal for urgent assistance.

Usage examples:

Help! i'm drowning!

verb

Make or become better.

Usage examples:

Efforts to improve relations between the countries

verb

To make better

verb

To (cause something to) get better

Usage examples:

He did a lot to improve conditions for factory workers., i thought the best way to improve my frenc…

noun

An example of improving or being improved.

Usage examples:

An improvement in east–west relations

noun

The process of making something better or of getting better

Usage examples:

[ c ] we made some improvements to the house before selling it., [ u ] there’s been no improvement…

noun

The fact of something getting better, or the act of making something better

Usage examples:

Constant/continued/significant improvement, signs of improvement, need/show/see improvement august …

verb

Bring (something, especially a product, measure, or concept) into use or operation for the first time.

Usage examples:

Various new taxes were introduced

verb

To arrange for you to meet and learn the name of another person

Usage examples:

I’d like to introduce you to my friend, sally., george, i’d like to introduce my friend, sally., it…

verb

To make goods or services available to be bought for the first time

Usage examples:

The company plans to introduce 45 new models over the next five years., the product range is being …

noun

The action of inventing something, typically a process or device.

Usage examples:

The invention of printing in the 15th century

noun

Something newly designed or created, or the activity of designing or creating new things

Usage examples:

[ c ] the mountain bike was a california invention., [ u ] the invention of the pressure cooker pro…

noun

A product or a way of doing something which has never been made or never existed before

Usage examples:

Turning an invention from an idea into a money-making product is a long job., a new inventions, the…

adjective

Most important.

Usage examples:

A number of leading politicians

noun

Guidance or leadership, especially in a spiritual context.

Usage examples:

Things can be learned in many ways (spiritual leading is one way you pointed).

noun

The amount of blank space between lines of print.

Usage examples:

Most scrapbookers don't know what kerning or leading are and how to adjust them accordingly.

verb

Jump or spring a long way, to a great height, or with great force.

Usage examples:

He leapt on to the parapet

noun

A forceful jump or quick movement.

Usage examples:

She came downstairs in a series of flying leaps

verb

Move forward by bounds

verb

Grant to (someone) the use of (something) on the understanding that it will be returned.

Usage examples:

Stewart asked me to lend him my car

verb

To give something to someone for a short period of time, expecting it to be given back

Usage examples:

Can you lend me a few dollars till payday?

verb

If a bank or other financial organization lends money to someone, it gives them money for a period of time which they then pay back with interest

Usage examples:

Britain's building societies chiefly lend money for house purchase., lend $5,000/£2bn/€1m, etc. to …

noun

A thing that is borrowed, especially a sum of money that is expected to be paid back with interest.

Usage examples:

Borrowers can take out a loan for £84,000

verb

Lend (a sum of money or item of property).

Usage examples:

The computer was loaned to us by the theatre

noun

A lane or narrow path, especially one leading to open ground.

Usage examples:

Whitehouse loan

adjective

Subject to debate, dispute, or uncertainty.

Usage examples:

Whether they had been successful or not was a moot point

verb

Raise (a question or topic) for discussion; suggest (an idea or possibility).

Usage examples:

The scheme was first mooted last october

noun

An assembly held for debate, especially in anglo-saxon and medieval times.

Usage examples:

Even if, as some have supposed, the manor court, or hall moot, had anglo-saxon forebears, it was an…

verb

Go in a specified direction or manner; change position.

Usage examples:

She moved to the door

noun

A change of place, position, or state.

Usage examples:

She made a sudden move towards me

verb

To go to a different place in order to live or work, or to make someone do this

Usage examples:

The company announced it would be moving staff from houston to dallas early next year., move to/int…

adverb

At or to a short distance away; nearby.

Usage examples:

A bomb exploded somewhere near

preposition

At or to a short distance away from (a place).

Usage examples:

The car park near the sawmill

adjective

Located a short distance away.

Usage examples:

A large house in the near distance

verb

Come near to; approach.

Usage examples:

Soon the cab would be nearing oxford street

adverb

At or to a short distance away; nearby.

Usage examples:

A bomb exploded somewhere near

adverb

A short time away in the future.

Usage examples:

His retirement was drawing near

verb

Present or proffer (something) for (someone) to accept or reject as desired.

Usage examples:

May i offer you a drink?

noun

An expression of readiness to do or give something if desired.

Usage examples:

Sympathetic offers of help

verb

Present for acceptance or rejection

noun

An orchestral piece at the beginning of an opera, play, etc.

Usage examples:

The overture to mozart's ‘don giovanni’

noun

A piece of music that is an introduction to a longer piece, such as an opera

Usage examples:

The country’s leaders rejected all overtures for a peace settlement.

noun

A piece of music that is an introduction to a longer piece, especially an opera

Usage examples:

The overture to "the magic flute"

noun

A person who operates the flying controls of an aircraft.

Usage examples:

A strike by local airline pilots

adjective

Done as an experiment or test before being introduced more widely.

Usage examples:

A pilot scheme for training workers

verb

Another term for cowcatcher.

adjective

Preceding or done in preparation for something fuller or more important.

Usage examples:

A preliminary draft

noun

A preliminary action or event.

Usage examples:

The bombardment was resumed as a preliminary to an infantry attack

adjective

Coming before a more important action or event, esp. introducing or preparing for it

Usage examples:

Preliminary talks, a preliminary investigation, the preliminary rounds of negotiation went well., h…

noun

An arrangement in which a service or product is paid for, or partly paid for, before it is used or obtained, or the amount that is paid

Usage examples:

They moved into a home with a prepayment meter for electricity., a pre-payment of £50 as part of th…

adjective

In a particular place.

Usage examples:

A doctor must be present at the ringside

noun

The period of time now occurring.

Usage examples:

They are happy and at peace, refusing to think beyond the present

verb

Give or award formally or ceremonially.

Usage examples:

The duke presented certificates to the men

adjective

Of a person, attitude, etc.: characterized by eagerness or perseverance despite difficulty or opposition.

phrasal verb

To try hard to persuade someone to tell you something

Usage examples:

Although he was pressed on the matter by journalists, the minister refused to disclose any further …

adjective

Existing or occurring before in time or order.

Usage examples:

She looked tired after her exertions of the previous evening

noun

Previous convictions; a criminal record.

Usage examples:

He's got previous—theft and wounding

adjective

Happening or existing before the one mentioned

Usage examples:

The previous owner of the house added a back porch., she was previously employed as a tour guide.

adjective

Existing or coming before in time, order, or importance.

Usage examples:

He has a prior engagement this evening

noun

A previous criminal conviction.

Usage examples:

He had no juvenile record, no priors

noun

A man who is head of a house or group of houses of certain religious orders.

Usage examples:

The english reformation removed powerful abbots and priors from their seats

verb

Begin a course of action.

Usage examples:

The consortium could proceed with the plan

verb

To start or continue an action or process

Usage examples:

The building project is proceeding smoothly., you should ask a lawyer for advice on how to proceed.…

verb

To continue as planned

Usage examples:

The merger is proceeding according to schedule and should be complete by july., proceed with sth it…

verb

Hold out or put forward (something) to someone for acceptance.

Usage examples:

She proffered a glass of wine

noun

An offer or proposal.

Usage examples:

And then, as i found out only the same day, on march 23 of 1983, he, in a five-minute segment at th…

noun

Forward or onward movement towards a destination.

Usage examples:

The darkness did not stop my progress

verb

Move forward or onward in space or time.

Usage examples:

As the century progressed the quality of telescopes improved

noun

Movement toward an improved or more developed state, or to a forward position

Usage examples:

The talks failed to make any progress toward a settlement., the construction work is already in pro…

verb

Support or actively encourage (a cause, venture, etc.); further the progress of.

Usage examples:

Some regulation is still required to promote competition

verb

Assign to a higher position

verb

To advertise something in order to sell it

Usage examples:

The new model cars are being heavily promoted on television., a new campaign has been launched to p…

noun

A plan or suggestion, especially a formal or written one, put forward for consideration by others.

Usage examples:

A set of proposals for a major new high-speed rail link

verb

Put forward (a plan or suggestion) for consideration by others.

Usage examples:

He proposed a new nine-point peace plan

verb

To suggest or state (a possible plan or action) for consideration

Usage examples:

[ + to infinitive ] she proposed to keep the schools open all summer., [ + that clause ] it has oft…

verb

To give someone a plan or idea to consider

Usage examples:

She proposed a tax reform designed to make basic insurance more affordable., propose to do sth he i…

noun

A statement or assertion that expresses a judgement or opinion.

Usage examples:

The proposition that high taxation is undesirable

verb

Make a suggestion of sex to (someone), especially in an unsubtle way.

Usage examples:

She had been propositioned at the party by a subeditor with bad breath

noun

A suggestion or statement for consideration

Usage examples:

The chairman was advised that it was a risky business proposition.

noun

A thing that holds something in place.

Usage examples:

A guitar string retainer

noun

An amount of money that you pay to someone in advance so that the person will work for you when needed

Usage examples:

He was on a $150,000 retainer from lloyd's of london.

noun

An amount of money that you pay to a lawyer, consultant (= someone paid to give expert advice or training), etc. in order to be sure that they can work for you when you need them to

Usage examples:

The firm retained white as a consultant, paying him a $5,000 retainer., get/be on/receive a retaine…

verb

To lift one foot and put it down in front of the other foot, as in walking or running

Usage examples:

He stepped to his left, picked up the ball, and threw., we stepped carefully along the slippery pat…

verb

To do someone else's work when they are unable to do it

Usage examples:

Bill's illness meant that kathy had to step into the breach., could you step on it? i'm late., if w…

verb

Make or become stronger.

Usage examples:

He advises an application of fluoride to strengthen the teeth

verb

To become more effective, or to make something more effective

Usage examples:

[ t ] somehow his illness strengthened their marriage and brought them closer together., [ t ] pare…

verb

To make something more effective or powerful

Usage examples:

A discussion paper aiming to strengthen the eu's competition regime has been circulated amongst com…

noun

A submarine.

Usage examples:

The yachtsman claimed his boat had been sunk by a sub

verb

Replace or be replaced; substitute.

Usage examples:

He got a lot of applause when he was subbed

prefix

At, to, or from a lower level or position.

Usage examples:

Subalpine

verb

Accept or yield to a superior force or to the authority or will of another person.

Usage examples:

The original settlers were forced to submit to bulgarian rule

verb

Yield to the control of another

noun

The accomplishment of an aim or purpose.

Usage examples:

There is a thin line between success and failure

noun

The achieving of desired results, or someone or something that achieves positive results

Usage examples:

[ u ] we’ve tried to contact him, but so far without success., [ c ] the dinner party was a great s…

noun

The achieving of the results that were wanted or hoped for

Usage examples:

The company's success is a result of its business model., success in sth knowledge workers are esse…

verb

Put forward for consideration.

Usage examples:

I suggest that we wait a day or two

verb

To mention an idea, possible plan, or action for other people to consider

Usage examples:

They were wondering where to hold the office party and i suggested the italian restaurant on main s…

noun

An idea or plan put forward for consideration.

Usage examples:

Here are some suggestions for tackling the problem

noun

An idea, possible plan, or action that is mentioned for other people to consider

Usage examples:

[ c ] she made some helpful suggestions on how to cut our costs., [ c ] they didn’t like my suggest…

verb

Bear all or part of the weight of; hold up.

Usage examples:

The dome was supported by a hundred white columns

noun

A thing that bears the weight of something or keeps it upright.

Usage examples:

The best support for a camera is a tripod

verb

The act of bearing the weight of or strengthening

noun

A procedure intended to establish the quality, performance, or reliability of something, especially before it is taken into widespread use.

Usage examples:

Both countries carried out nuclear tests in may

verb

Short for test match.

Usage examples:

The first test against new zealand

noun

The shell or integument of some invertebrates and protozoans, especially the chalky shell of a foraminiferan or the tough outer layer of a tunicate.

Usage examples:

The tests of the shells are recrystallized, but the original ornamentation is preserved in very goo…

noun

A formal examination of evidence by a judge, typically before a jury, in order to decide guilt in a case of criminal or civil proceedings.

Usage examples:

The newspaper accounts of the trial

verb

Test (something, especially a new product) to assess its suitability or performance.

Usage examples:

Teachers all over the uk are trialling the materials

noun

The examination in a court of law of the facts of a case to decide whether a person is guilty of a crime or responsible for an injury to another person

Usage examples:

[ c ] a criminal/civil trial, [ u ] the case will soon go to trial (= begin)., [ u ] she must still…

noun

A group of people leading the way in new developments or ideas.

Usage examples:

The experimental spirit of the modernist vanguard

noun

The front part of a group of people who are moving forward, esp. an army

Usage examples:

These craftspeople are in the vanguard in the art of modern furniture design.