Obs., and ǁ Avant-garde. Forms: 5 au-, avaunt-, aduantgard(e, avantgaird, 7 au-, avant-, avaunt-, avan-guard, -gard, 8–9 avant-garde. [a. F. avant-garde, f. avant before + garde GUARD. Formerly anglicized, avaunt-, and -guard; now archaic or obs., being replaced by the aphetic VANGUARD; cf. (ar)rear-guard.] The foremost part of an army; the vanguard or van.

1

1470–85.  Malory, Arthur, I. xv. Lyonses and Pharyaunce had the aduant garde.

2

1582–8.  Hist. Jas. VI. (1804), 40. The gentillmen of the surname of Hamiltoun were on the Queenes avantgaird.

3

1630.  Hayward, K. Edw. VI., 18. Next followed the avauntguard.

4

1664.  S. Clarke, Tamerlane, 8. Odmar led the avanguard.

5

1796.  Campaigns 1793–4, I. I. ii. 12. Gen. Stengel … commanded the avant garde of Valence’s army.

6

1800.  Coleridge, Wallenstein, III. vii. Mid full glasses Will we expect the Swedish Avantgarde.

7