[uh-vahnt-gahrd, uh-vant-, av-ahnt-, ah-vahnt-; Fr. a-vahn-gard] 
| 1. | the advance group in any field, esp. in the visual, literary, or musical arts, whose works are characterized chiefly by unorthodox and experimental methods. |
| 2. | of or pertaining to the experimental treatment of artistic, musical, or literary material. |
| 3. | belonging to the avant-garde: an avant-garde composer. |
| 4. | unorthodox or daring; radical. |
| a·vant-garde (ä'vänt-gärd', āv'änt-) n. A group active in the invention and application of new techniques in a given field, especially in the arts. adj. Of, relating to, or being part of an innovative group, especially one in the arts: avant-garde painters; an avant-garde theater piece. [French, from Old French, vanguard; see vanguard.] a'vant-gard'ism n., a'vant-gard'ist n. |
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