DCHP-1 Online

advances

• n.pl. goods such as ammunition, clothing, tobacco, and knives, as a grubstake advanced to hunters, trappers, and others dealing with fur-trading companies, to be later deducted from the payment for their catches.

  See also: debt  

  • 1801  (1897)  I gave the . . . men their equipment and advances.
  • 1848  (1859)  They all proceeded to the trading-room, for the purpose of taking "advances," in the shape of shirts, trousers, bonnets, caps, tobacco, knives, capotes, and all the other things necessary for a long, rough journey.
  • 1947  [The French] introduced the practice of fall "advances" which is still the basis of Canadian fur trade.