|
|
| van·guard [ ván grd ] (plural van·guards) |
noun |
|
| Definition: |
| |
1. leading position or people: the leading position of a movement, field, or cultural trend, or the people who are foremost in a movement, field, or cultural trend
|
2. advance troops: the military divisions of an army or navy that lead the advance into battle
|
| [15th century. Shortening of French avant-garde< avant "before" + garde "guard"] |
|
  van·guard·ism noun |
| van·guard·ist noun |
|
|
