† aˈvantˌward Obs.
Also avaunt-, avawm-, awaward.
[a. ONF. avantwarde, = central F. avant-guarde, now avant-garde: cf. arrear-ward. Aphetized in 13th c. as vauntwarde (1297), vaumwarde (1330), vauwarde (1401), vaward (1435–1625, common in Shakes.), vanward.]
= avant-garde, van-guard.
| 1375 Barbour Bruce xiii. 169 Thar awaward ruschit was. c 1440 Morte Arth. 324, I salle have the avanttwarde wytterly my selvene. Ibid. 3169 The avawmwarde voydez theire horsez. 1480 Caxton Chron. Eng. ccxliv. 298 That he wold graunte hym that day the auauntward in his bataylle. |