vanguard
noun
[ ˈvanɡɑːd ]
• a group of people leading the way in new developments or ideas.
• "the experimental spirit of the modernist vanguard"
• the foremost part of an advancing army or naval force.
Origin:
late Middle English (denoting the foremost part of an army): shortening of Old French avan(t)garde, from avant ‘before’ + garde ‘guard’.
