vanguard

vanguard
noun
  1. a group of people leading the way in new developments or ideas
    (新思想运动)先驱者;前卫
    the experimental spirit of the modernist vanguard.
    现代主义先驱的实验精神。
    ■a position at the forefront of new developments or ideas
    先锋地位
    the prototype was in the vanguard of technical development.
    该原型处于技术发展的先锋地位。
    ■the foremost part of an advancing army or naval force
    先头部队
语源
  1. late Middle English (denoting the foremost part of an army): shortening of Old French avan(t)garde, from avant 'before' + garde 'guard'
英语宝典
考试词汇表