Forms: α. 57 forþ-, fortheraunce, -ans, forderance, (5 firtherance, foderance), 6 fordraunce, 7 fortherance. β. 57 furtheraunce, (7 -ence), 67 furderance, -aunce, -auns, 5 furtherance. See also FARTHERANCE. [f. FURTHER v. -ANCE.]
1. The fact or state of being furthered or helped forward; the action of helping forward; advancement, aid, assistance. Also concr. a means or source of help.
c. 1440. York Myst., xxvi. 48. Yf þat false faytor Your fortheraunce may fang.
1494. Fabyan, Chron., an. 1448 (1559), II. 446. For the furtheraunce of this purpose.
1551. Recorde, Pathw. Knowl., II. Pref. I truste all suche as bee not exercised in the studie of Geometrye, shall finde greate ease and furtheraunce by this simple, plaine, and easie forme of writinge.
1606. Sc. Acts Jas. VI. (1814), IV. 286. For the greater forderance and better executioun of justice.
1610. Healey, St. Augustine, Of the Citie of God, I. xi. 21. All these ceremonies concerning the dead, the care of the buriall, the fashions of the Sepulchers, and the pompes of the funeralls, are rather solaces to the liuing, then furtherances to the dead.
16401. Kirkcudbr. War-Comm. Min. Bk. (1855), 72. Expecting your furtherance [printed fortherance] in all.
1748. F. Smith, Voy. Disc. N.-W. Pass., I. 89. Named Brook Cobham, then thinking of the many Furtherances this Voyage received from that honourable Knight Sir John Brook.
1831. Carlyle, Sart. Res. (1858), 4. Issuing from the hitherto irreproachable Firm of Stillschweigen and Company, with every external furtherance, it is of such internal quality as to set Neglect at defiance.
1844. H. H. Wilson, Brit India, III. 422. In furtherance of this project, she kept her son in a state of ignorance and vice.
1875. Helps, Ess., Organ. Daily Life, 174. Some few furtherances have been shown.
2. Coal-mining. (See quot. 1883.)
1851. in Greenwell, Coal-trade Terms, 27.
1883. Gresley, Gloss. Coal Mining, Furtherance (North), an additional sum of money paid per score to hewers, putters, &c. as an allowance in respect of inferior coal, a bad roof, a fault, &c.
Hence † Furtherancer Obs. rare1. One who gives furtherance to (anything).
1599. Hayward, 1st Pt. Hen. IV., 6. A dissolute and dishonest life, which findeth some followers when it findeth no furtherances.