Obs. Forms: 4–6 au- avant, 4–7 au- avaunt(e, 5 awaunte, 6 advaunt(e, (Sc. awant). [f. AVAUNT v.1]
1. A boast, vaunt; boasting, vain-glory.
c. 1380. Sir Ferumb., 355. Yf þou þyn auaunt perforny myȝt.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Three Treat., 35. Thei tellen to greet avaunt, that thei ben charious to the puple.
c. 1430. Life St. Katherine, 56. Not in auant of pryde, bot in mekenesse.
1553. Brende, Q. Curtius, III. 25. These wordes he spake with greater avaunt then trueth.
2. esp. in phr. To make avaunt: to boast, declare confidently or arrogantly; = AVAUNT v.
c. 1340. Alex. & Dind., 570. Of more make ȝe avaunt … þan ȝe mow forþen.
1465. Paston Lett., 512. II. 206. They make ther awaunte were that I may be goten I schul dye.
1553–87. Foxe, A. & M. (1596), 342/2. The saide Bishop dooth make his auaunt, that he had full power to create and depose kinges.
a. 1600. Parl. Byrdes, 228, in Hazl., E. P. P., III. 179. For the Crowe spake the Cormoraunt, And of his rule made great avaunt.
3. Promise.
c. 1325. E. E. Allit. P., B. 664. I a-vow verayly þe avaunt þat I made, I schal … sende to Sare a soun & an hayre.
