Also 5–7 avertise-; 6 advertyse-, advertisse-; 7 advertize-, averti-ment. [a. Fr. avertissement, in 5–6 advertissement; f. avertiss- lengthened stem of avertir: see ADVERTISE and -MENT.]
† 1. The turning of the mind to anything; attention, observation, heed. Obs.
1523. Skelton, Garl. Laurel, 808. Behold and se in your advertysement How these ladys … For your pleasure do there endeuourment.
1594. Hooker, Eccl. Pol., V. (1632), 451. Men should either need much advertisement or long time for the search thereof.
1651. Jer. Taylor, Holy Liv. (1727), 140. It helps much to attention and actual advertisement in our prayers.
† 2. The action of calling the attention of others; admonition, warning, precept, instruction. Obs.
1475. Bk. of Noblesse, 79. Joachym king of Juda despraised the admonestementis, advertisementis, and the doctrines of God.
1538. Bale, God’s Promises, in Dodsley (1780), I. 14. Doth what hym lust without dyscrete advysement, And wyll in no wyse take myne advertysement.
1581. Marbeck, Bk. of Notes, 258. By the aduertisement of the Emperour, he graunted it to proceede.
a. 1652. J. Smith, Sel. Disc., II. 31. Some secret advertisements of their consciences.
1675. T. Brooks, Gold. Key, Wks. 1867, V. 379. Christ, in his advertisement to Philadelphia, Rev. iii. 7.
1715. Burnet, Hist. own Time (1766), II. 108. The advertisements came to him from so many hands, that he was inclined to believe there was somewhat in it.
1827. Hallam, Const. Hist. (1876), I. iv. 180. Parker … set forth a book called Advertisements, containing orders and regulations for the discipline of the clergy.
† 2. The action of informing or notifying; information, notification, notice. Obs.
1528. Gardiner, in Pocock, Rec. Ref., 50. I. 118. As other things occurreth here worthy advertisement, we shall not fail to signify the same.
1581. Savile, Tacitus, Agricola (1622), 192. He bedeckt not with lawrell his letters of aduertisement.
1603. Knolles, Hist. Turkes (1621), 1189. Hatwan … being so seated … it much hindered both advertisements and victuals to be brought unto Pesth.
a. 1649. Charles I., Wks., 230. He had avertisement that the person of the said Earl of Glamorgan was arrested.
1716. in Wodrow’s Corr. (1843), II. 136. The first advertisement they gave of it was Clanronald’s orders to his men to kindle straw.
4. A (written) statement calling attention to anything; a notification, a ‘notice.’ Obs. or arch.
c. 1460. Fortescue, Absol. & Lim. Mon. (1714), 122. Here followen Advertisements, for the gevyng of the Kyngs Offyces.
c. 1548. Geste, Lett. to Parker, 141. I have sent … your booke againe with such notes & advertisementes that … I could well gather.
1625. Burges, Pers. Tithes, To Reader. Some Aduertisements. i. Reade All, or reade nothing.
1645. Milton, Tetrach., Wks. 1738, I. 265. The Canons and Edicts … with the avertiments of Balsamon and Matthæus Monachus theron.
1728. Pope, Dunciad (1736), Advertisement to the first Edition, with note, etc.
1824. Dibdin, Libr. Comp., 278. At the end of this volume is an advertisement to the reader.
5. A public notice or announcement: formerly by the town-crier; now, usually, in writing or print, by placards, or in a journal; spec. a paid announcement in a newspaper or other print.
1582–8. Hist. James VI. (1804), 141. To attend thair quietlie upoun aduertisement of the drum.
1599. Shaks., Much Ado, V. i. 32. My griefs cry lowder then aduertisement.
1692. Luttrell, Brief Rel. (1857), II. 566. He has published an advertisement in this days Gazet of it.
1722. De Foe, Moll Fl. (1840), 273. An advertisement of the particulars in the common newspapers.
1868. Dickens, Lett. (1880), II. 339. A short newspaper advertisement is all we want.
1876. Freeman, Norm. Conq., I. App. 719. A general advertisement for the heads of his enemies.
1878. Printing Trades Jrnl., XXV. 27. The publishers are not in the habit of inserting gratuitous advertisements.
