furtherance
(ˈfɜːðərəns)
Forms: α. 5–7 forþ-, fortheraunce, -ans, forderance, (5 firtherance, foderance), 6 fordraunce, 7 fortherance. β. 5–7 furtheraunce, (7 -ence), 6–7 furderance, -aunce, -auns, 5– furtherance. See also fartherance.
[f. further v. + -ance.]
1. The fact or state of being furthered or helped forward; the action of helping forward; advancement, aid, assistance. Also concr. a means or source of help.
| c 1440 York Myst. xxvi. 48 Yf þat false faytor Your fortheraunce may fang. 1494 Fabyan Chron. an. 1448 (1559) II. 446 For the furtheraunce of this purpose. 1551 Recorde Pathw. Knowl. ii. Pref., All suche..shall finde greate ease and furtheraunce by this simple..forme of writinge. 1606 Sc. Acts Jas. VI (1814) IV. 286 For the greater forderance and better executioun of justice. 1610 Healey St. Aug. Citie of God i. xi. (1620) 19 The pompes of the funeralls are rather solaces to the liuing then furtherances to the dead. 1640–1 Kirkcudbr. War-Comm. Min. Bk. (1855) 72 Expecting your fortherance in all. 1748 F. Smith Voy. Disc. I. 89 Thinking of the many Furtherances this Voyage received from that honourable Knight. 1831 Carlyle Sart. Res. (1858) 4 Issuing..with every external furtherance, it is of such internal quality as to set Neglect at defiance. 1844 H. H. Wilson Brit. India III. 422 In furtherance of this project, she kept her son in a state of ignorance and vice. 1875 Helps Ess., Organ. Daily Life 174 Some few furtherances have been shown. |
2. Coal-mining. (See quot. 1883.)
| 1851 in Greenwell Coal-trade Terms 27. 1883 Gresley Gloss. Coal Mining, Furtherance (North), an additional sum of money paid per score to hewers, putters, &c. as an allowance in respect of inferior coal, a bad roof, a fault, &c. |
Hence † ˈfurtherancer Obs. rare—1. One who gives furtherance to (anything).
| 1599 Hayward 1st Pt. Hen. IV, 6 A dissolute and dishonest life, which findeth some followers when it findeth no furtherancers. |