advance vs start

advance

verb
  • To put forward (an idea, argument etc.); to propose. 

  • To raise (someone) in rank or office; to prefer, to promote. 

  • To make (something) happen at an earlier time or date; to bring forward, to hasten. 

  • To make progress; to do well, to succeed. 

  • To move or push (something) forwards, especially forcefully. 

  • To move forwards; to approach. 

  • To help the progress of (something); to further. 

  • To move forward in time; to progress towards completion. 

  • To raise or increase (a price, rate). 

  • To provide (money or other value) before it is due, or in expectation of some work; to lend. 

  • To increase (a number or amount). 

  • To make a higher bid at an auction. 

adj
  • Completed before necessary or a milestone event. 

  • Preceding. 

  • Forward. 

noun
  • A forward move; improvement or progression. 

  • An opening approach or overture, now especially of an unwelcome or sexual nature. 

  • An amount of money or credit, especially given as a loan, or paid before it is due; an advancement. 

  • An addition to the price; rise in price or value. 

start

verb
  • To put or raise (a question, an objection); to put forward (a subject for discussion). 

  • To begin. 

  • To flinch or draw back. 

  • To awaken suddenly. 

  • To disturb and cause to move suddenly; to startle; to alarm; to rouse; to cause to flee or fly. 

  • To break away, to come loose. 

  • To put into play. 

  • To move suddenly from its place or position; to displace or loosen; to dislocate. 

  • To pour out; to empty; to tap and begin drawing from. 

  • To set in motion. 

  • To have its origin (at), begin. 

  • To bring onto being or into view; to originate; to invent. 

  • To jerk suddenly in surprise. 

  • To start one's periods (menstruation). 

  • To begin an activity. 

  • To ready the operation of a vehicle or machine. 

noun
  • The beginning point of a race, a board game, etc. 

  • An appearance in a sports game, horserace, etc., from the beginning of the event. 

  • The curved or inclined front and bottom of a water wheel bucket. 

  • The arm, or level, of a gin, drawn around by a horse. 

  • An initial advantage over somebody else; a head start. 

  • A handle, especially that of a plough. 

  • A young plant germinated in a pot to be transplanted later. 

  • A projection or protrusion; that which pokes out. 

  • The beginning of an activity. 

  • An instance of starting. 

  • A sudden involuntary movement. 

How often have the words advance and start occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )