advantage

/ad van"tij, -vahn"-/, n., v., advantaged, advantaging.

n.

1. any state, circumstance, opportunity, or means specially favorable to success, interest, or any desired end: the advantage of a good education.

2. benefit; gain; profit: It will be to his advantage to learn Chinese before going to China.

3. superiority or ascendancy (often fol. by over or of): His height gave him an advantage over his opponent.

4. a position of superiority (often fol. by over or of): their advantage in experienced players.

5. Tennis. the first point scored after deuce.

6. have the advantage of, to be in a superior or advantageous position; possess an advantage over: By virtue of independent wealth, he has the advantage of his opponents.

7. take advantage of,

a. to make use of for gain: to take advantage of an opportunity.

b. to impose upon, esp. unfairly, as by exploiting a weakness: to take advantage of someone.

8. to advantage, to good effect; advantageously: The paintings were arranged to advantage on one wall.

v.t.

9. to be of service to; yield profit or gain to; benefit.

10. to cause to advance; further; promote: Such action will advantage our cause.

11. to prove beneficial to; profit: It would advantage him to work harder.

[1300-50; ME ava(u)ntage < AF, OF avantage, equiv. to avant before (see ADVANCE) + -age -AGE; for ad- see ADVANCE]

Syn. 2. ADVANTAGE, BENEFIT, PROFIT all mean something that is of use or value. ADVANTAGE is anything that places one in an improved position, esp. in coping with competition or difficulties: It is to one's advantage to have traveled widely. BENEFIT is anything that promotes the welfare or improves the state of a person or group: a benefit to society. PROFIT is any valuable, useful, or helpful gain: profit from trade or experience. 9. serve, avail, help, aid.

* * *