Advancement, n.
Etymology: [OE. avancement, F. avancement. See Advance, v. t.]
1. The act of advancing, or the state of being advanced; progression; improvement; furtherance; promotion to a higher place or dignity; as, the advancement of learning. In heaven . . . every one (so well they love each other) rejoiceth and hath his part in each other's advancement. Sir T. More. True religion . . . proposes for its end the joint advancement of the virtue and happiness of the people. Horsley.
2. An advance of money or value; payment in advance. See Advance, 5.
3. (Law)
Property given, usually by a parent to a child, in advance of a future distribution.
1 more senses
4. Settlement on a wife, or jointure. [Obs.] Bacon.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for advancement; he lists it under progress.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.