Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Advantage
Ad-van′tage
(?; 61, 48)
, Noun.
1.
Any condition, circumstance, opportunity, or means, particularly favorable to success, or to any desired end; benefit;
as, the enemy had the
. advantage
of a more elevated positionGive me
advantage
of some brief discourse. Shakespeare
The
advantages
of a close alliance. Macaulay.
2.
Superiority; mastery; – with of or over.
Lest Satan should get an
advantage
of us. 2 Cor. ii. 11.
3.
Superiority of state, or that which gives it; benefit; gain; profit;
as, the
. advantage
of a good constitution4.
Interest of money; increase; overplus (as the thirteenth in the baker’s dozen).
[Obs.]
And with
advantage
means to pay thy love. Shakespeare
Advantage ground
, vantage ground.
[R.]
Clarendon.
– To have the advantage of
(any one), to have a personal knowledge of one who does not have a reciprocal knowledge.
“You have the advantage of me; I don't remember ever to have had the honor.” Sheridan.
– To take advantage of
, to profit by; (often used in a bad sense) to overreach, to outwit.
We speak of a thing as a benefit, or as beneficial, when it is simply productive of good; as, the benefits of early discipline; the beneficial effects of adversity. We speak of a thing as an advantage, or as advantageous, when it affords us the means of getting forward, and places us on a “vantage ground” for further effort. Hence, there is a difference between the benefits and the advantages of early education; between a beneficial and an advantageous investment of money.
Ad-van′tage
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Advantaged
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Advantaging
.] To give an advantage to; to further; to promote; to benefit; to profit.
The truth is, the archbishop's own stiffness and averseness to comply with the court designs,
advantaged
his adversaries against him. Fuller.
What is a man
advantaged
, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? Luke ix. 25.
To advantage one's self of
, to avail one's self of.
[Obs.]
Webster 1828 Edition
Advantage
ADV'ANTAGE
,Noun.
1.
Any state, condition, or circumstance, favorable to success, prosperity, interest, or reputation.The enemy had the advantage of elevated ground.
2.
Benefit; gain; profit.What advantage will it be to thee? Job 35.
There exists, in the economy and course of nature, an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness; between duty and advantage.
3.
Means to an end; opportunity; convenience for obtaining benefit; as, student enjoy great advantages for improvement.The General took advantage of his enemy's negligence.
4.
Favorable state or circumstances; as, jewels set to advantage.5.
Superiority, or prevalence over; with of or over.Lest Satan should get an advantage of us, (or over us.) 2Cor. 2.
6.
Superiority, or that which gives it; as, the advantage of a good constitution.7.
Interest; increase; overplus.And with advantage means to pay thy love. Obs.
8.
Additional circumstance to give preponderation.ADV'ANTAGE
,Verb.
T.
1.
To benefit; as to yield profit or gain.What is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? Luke 9.
2.
To promote; to advance the interest of.