vanguard — ODE

vanguard /ˈvanɡɑːd

▸ noun

1 a group of people leading the way in new developments or ideas:

the experimental spirit of the modernist vanguard.

▪ a position at the forefront of new developments or ideas:

the prototype was in the vanguard of technical development.

2 the foremost part of an advancing army or naval force.

– DERIVATIVES

vanguardism noun

vanguardist /ˈvanɡɑːdɪst

/ noun

– ORIGIN late Middle English (denoting the foremost part of an army): shortening of Old French avan(t)garde, from avant ‘before’ + garde ‘guard’.