I.to step on, step forward, advance, Hom., etc.:—as a mark of Time, ἄστρα προβέβηκε they are far gone in heaven, i. e. it is past midnight, Il.; ἡ νὺξ προβαίνει the night is wearing fast, Xen.; then of Time itself, τοῦ χρόνου προβαίνοντος as time went on, Hdt.; so, προβαίνοντος τοῦ ἔργου, τοῦ πολέμου id=Hdt.; and of persons, τοὺς προβεβηκότας τῇ ἡλικίᾳ advanced in age, Lys., etc.
2.metaph. of narrative, argument, events, προβήσομαι ἐς τὸ πρόσω τοῦ λόγου Hdt.; πρ. ἐπ᾽ ἔσχατον θράσους Soph.; τὸ τῆς τύχης ἀφανὲς οἷ προβήσεται Eur.; πρ. πόρρω μοχθηρίας to be far gone in knavery, Xen.; πρ. εἰς τοῦτο ἔχθρας Dem.
3.to advance, proceed, προέβαινε τὸ ἔθνος ἄρχον the nation kept making advances in dominion, kept extending its sway, Hdt.; μὴ προβαίη μεῖζον ἢ τὸ νῦν κακόν lest it creep on, increase, Eur.
II.to go before, i. e. to be before or superior to another, c. gen., προβέβηκας ἁπάντων Il.; Τρηχῖνος προβέβηκε he was set over, i. e. ruled, Trachis, Hes.
