The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Advance \Ad*vance"\, n. [Cf. F. avance, fr. avancer. See
   Advance, v.]
   1. The act of advancing or moving forward or upward;
      progress.
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   2. Improvement or progression, physically, mentally, morally,
      or socially; as, an advance in health, knowledge, or
      religion; an advance in rank or office.
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   3. An addition to the price; rise in price or value; as, an
      advance on the prime cost of goods.
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   4. The first step towards the attainment of a result;
      approach made to gain favor, to form an acquaintance, to
      adjust a difference, etc.; an overture; a tender; an
      offer; -- usually in the plural.
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            [He] made the like advances to the dissenters.
                                                  --Swift.
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   5. A furnishing of something before an equivalent is received
      (as money or goods), towards a capital or stock, or on
      loan; payment beforehand; the money or goods thus
      furnished; money or value supplied beforehand.
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            I shall, with pleasure, make the necessary advances.
                                                  --Jay.
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            The account was made up with intent to show what
            advances had been made.               --Kent.
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   In advance
      (a) In front; before.
      (b) Beforehand; before an equivalent is received.
      (c) In the state of having advanced money on account; as,
          A is in advance to B a thousand dollars or pounds.
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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

in advance
    adv 1: ahead of time; in anticipation; "when you pay ahead (or
           in advance) you receive a discount"; "We like to plan
           ahead"; "should have made reservations beforehand" [syn:
           ahead, in advance, beforehand]
    adj 1: situated ahead or going before; "an advance party"; "at
           that time the most advanced outpost was still east of the
           Rockies" [syn: advance(a), advanced(a), in
           advance(p)]