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