n. & v.
--n.
1. a beneficial feature; a favourable circumstance.
2 benefit, profit (is not to your advantage).
3 (often foll. by over) a better position; superiority in a particular respect.
4 (in lawn tennis) the next point won after deuce.
--v.tr.
1. be beneficial or favourable to.
2 further, promote.
Phrases and idioms:
have the advantage of be in a better position in some respect than. take advantage of
1. make good use of (a favourable circumstance).
2 exploit or outwit (a person), esp. unfairly.
3 euphem. seduce. to advantage in a way which exhibits the merits (was seen to advantage). turn to advantage benefit from.
Derivatives:
advantageous adj. advantageously adv.
Etymology: ME f. OF avantage, avantager f. avant in front f. LL abante: see ADVANCE