Etymology From Middle English avantage, avauntage, from Old French avantage, from avant (“before”), from Late Latin ab ante. The spelling with d originates in a latinizing hypercorrection, the a- being falsely supposed to be from Latin ad (see advance). For sense development, compare foredeal.
1
Any condition, circumstance, opportunity or means, particularly favorable or chance to success, or to any desired end.
The enemy had the advantage of a more elevated position.
Give me advantage of some brief discourse.c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Othello, the Moore of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene i]:
2 more examples
the advantages of a close alliance1849–1861, Thomas Babington Macaulay, chapter XLV, in The History of England from the Accession of James the Second, volume (please specify |volume=I to V), London: Longman, Brown, Green, and Longmans, →OCLC:
In his submission to the UN, [Christof] Heyns points to the experience of drones. Unmanned aerial vehicles were intended initially only for surveillance, and their use for offensive purposes was prohibited, yet once strategists realised their perceived advantages as a means of carrying out targeted killings, all objections were swept out of the way.2013 June 7, Ed Pilkington, “‘Killer robots’ should be banned in advance, UN told”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 188, number 26, page 6:
2
Obsolete Superiority; mastery; — used with of to specify its nature or with over to specify the other party.
Lest Satan should get an advantage of us.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 2 Corinthians 2:11:
3
Superiority of state, or that which gives it; benefit; gain; profit
the advantage of a good constitution
Having the faster car is of little advantage.
4
Hobbies, Lifestyle, Sports, Tennis The score where one player wins a point after deuce but needs the next to carry the game.
5
Ball games, Games, Hobbies, Lifestyle, Soccer, Sports The continuation of the game after a foul against the attacking team, because the attacking team are in an advantageous position.
Webb played an advantage that enabled Cazorla to supply a low cross from the left for Giroud to sweep home first time, despite Gallas and Vertonghen being in close attendance.2012 November 17, “Arsenal 5-2 Tottenham”, in BBC Sport:
6
Interest of money; increase; overplus (as the thirteenth in the baker's dozen).
And with advantage means to pay thy love.c. 1596 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life and Death of King Iohn”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene iii]:
Etymology From Middle English avantage, avauntage, from Old French avantage, from avant (“before”), from Late Latin ab ante. The spelling with d originates in a latinizing hypercorrection, the a- being falsely supposed to be from Latin ad (see advance). For sense development, compare foredeal.
1
to provide (someone) with an advantage, to give an edge to
I had almoſt forgotten to acquaint your honor, that one major Alford (who was in mr. Love's conſpiracy) was of the graund inqueſt at Saliſbury, and was very zealous in his highneſſe ſervice here, and his good affection and wiſe carriage here, did much advantage the buſſineſe.1655 April 21, “Mr. Ja. Nutley to ſecreary Thurloe.”, in A Collection of the State Papers of John Thurloe, Eſq; […], volume III, London: […] the Executor of the late Mr. Fletcher Gyles; Thomas Woodward, […] Charles Davis, […], published 1742, page 399:
2
to do something for one's own benefit; to take advantage of
No man of courage vouchsafeth to advantage himselfe [translating s'avantager] of that which is common unto many.1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 7, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book II, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC: