furtherance

Furtherance is the act of helping to advance, promote, or assist toward a goal, objective, or course of action. As a noun, it can refer to both the process of providing support and the result achieved by that support.

Etymology and usage: The term derives from the word further, with the agentive suffix -ance, and has been used in English since the Middle Ages to describe the act of aiding progress or development.

In legal contexts: The phrase in furtherance of is common in statutes, indictments, and case law to tie a specified act to the pursuit of a particular objective, often a crime. Courts distinguish acts undertaken in furtherance of a crime from mere preparation, and the required intent can influence liability.

In business and public life: Furtherance is used to describe legitimate efforts to advance projects, policies, or corporate interests, such as fundraising in furtherance of a project or collaboration in furtherance of regulatory approval.

Usage notes: The nuance depends on context. In everyday language, furtherance commonly denotes progress toward a goal; in legal writing, it conveys specific intent and causal connection between actions and objectives, sometimes requiring proof of orchestration or planning.

Related terms include advancement, promotion, and aiding and abetting.