Ploy and Progress

noun

• An opening remark intended to secure an advantage for the speaker.
  • synonyms: gambit
• A maneuver in a game or conversation.
  • synonyms: gambit, stratagem

• (v.i.) To form a column from a line of troops on some designated subdivision; -- the opposite of deploy.
• (n.) Sport; frolic.

noun

• Gradual improvement or growth or development.
  • usage: "advancement of knowledge"; "great progress in the arts"
  • synonyms: advancement
• The act of moving forward (as toward a goal.
  • synonyms: progression, procession, advance, advancement, forward motion, onward motion
• A movement forward.
  • usage: "he listened for the progress of the troops"
  • synonyms: progression, advance

verb

• Develop in a positive way.
  • usage: "He progressed well in school"; "My plants are coming along"; "Plans are shaping up"
  • synonyms: come on, come along, advance, get on, get along, shape up
• Move forward, also in the metaphorical sense.
  • usage: "Time marches on"
  • synonyms: advance, pass on, move on, march on, go on
• Form or accumulate steadily.
  • usage: "Resistance to the manager's plan built up quickly"; "Pressure is building up at the Indian-Pakistani border"
  • synonyms: build up, work up, build

• (n.) Toward ideal completeness or perfection in respect of quality or condition; -- applied to individuals, communities or the race; as, social, moral, religious or political progress.
• (n.) In business of any kind; as, the progress of a negotiation; the progress of art.
• (v.i.) To make improvement; to advance.
• (v.i.) To make progress; to move forward in space; to continue onward in course; to proceed; to advance; to go on; as, railroads are progressing.
• (n.) A journey of state; a circuit; especially, one made by a sovereign through parts of his own dominions.
• (n.) In the growth of an animal or plant; increase.
• (n.) A moving or going forward; a proceeding onward; an advance.
• (n.) In knowledge; in proficiency; as, the progress of a child at school.
• (n.) In actual space, as the progress of a ship, carriage, etc.
• (v.t.) To make progress in; to pass through.