devance, v.
(dɪˈvɑːns, -æ-)
[a. F. devancer to arrive before, precede, outstrip, f. devant before, on the model of avancer (advance). Became obs. early in 17th c., but has been again used by some in the 19th c.]
trans. To anticipate, forestall; to get ahead of; to outstrip.
| 1485 Caxton Chas. Gt. viii. 72 Olyuer whyche sawe the stroke comyng deuaunced hym in such wyse that he gaf two euyl strokes to Fyerabras. 1598 R. Barckley Felic. Man v. (1603) 489 In his owne conceit he lacketh so much as he seeth himselfe devaunced by another that hath more. 1615 Trade's Incr. in Harl. Misc. (Malh.) III. 293 Our neighbours [the Dutch]..have devanced us so far in shipping. 1863 R. F. Burton Abeokuta II. 72 So far from ‘caving in’, he devanced me on one occasion. 1864 ― Dahome Pref. 9 Commodore Wilmot, R.N...accompanied by Capt. Luce..devanced me. 1880 Ginevra 86 My wish devanced the hour. |
¶ Catachrestic uses.
| 1646 J. Hall Horæ Vac. 123 Tis hard to keepe these two equally ballanc't, especially those that devance. 1653 ― Paradoxes 108 Some Crazy Phylosophers..have endeavoured to devance them [women] from the same Species, with men. |