vanguard

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the position of greatest importance or advancement

   This new battery represents the vanguard of the technology.

2. 2
   noun

   the leading units moving at the head of an army

   The vanguard took the brunt of the casualties in the battle.

3. 3
   noun

   any creative group active in the innovation and application of new concepts and techniques in a given field, especially in the arts

   We are the vanguard of this movement.

Earlier forms included vandgard and (a)vantgard with or without aphetism, derived from Old French avan(t)garde (“before guard”). Doublet of avant-garde and vaward.

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