[van-gahrd] 
| 1. | the foremost division or the front part of an army; advance guard; van. |
| 2. | the forefront in any movement, field, activity, or the like. |
| 3. | the leaders of any intellectual or political movement. |
| 4. | (initial capital letter ) Rocketry. a U.S. three-stage, satellite-launching rocket, the first two stages powered by liquid-propellant engines and the third by a solid-propellant engine. |
| van·guard (vān'gärd) n.
[Middle English vandgard, from avaunt garde, from Old French : avaunt, before (from Latin abante; see advance) + garde, guard (from garder, to guard; see guard).] van'guard·ism n., van'guard·ist n. |