Etymology: Representing Anglo-Norman vant-, aphetic < avant- avant- comb. form: see vantbrace n., vantguard n., vantward n.In a number of compounds the t was elided, as vambrace n., vanchase n., van-courier n., vanguard n., etc. Before labials the n by assimilation became m , as in vambrace n., vampey n., vamplate n., vamward n.; and a further reduction appears in vamure vaumure n. and vaward n. The Anglo-Norman variant vaunt- is also very fully represented in English forms: see vaunt-chase n., vaunt-courier n., etc.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1916; most recently modified version published online June 2020).