A vantage is a position of advantage. A vantage point, from that vantage, a good vantage.
It survives almost entirely in vantage point, meaning a place with a clear view, and from the vantage of, meaning from a particular position in time or knowledge. In tennis, vantage is the older form of advantage, still occasionally heard as van. Note that vantage is simply advantage with the first syllable worn away, which English does often.
1nounvantageA position of advantage.
“From our vantage on the hill, we could watch the whole race.”
vantage is an advantageous position.
Middle English vantage is advantage with the first syllable lost, a process called aphesis. Squire from esquire and fence from defence went the same way.
Middle English
vantage
English, today
vantage
From Middle English vantage, by apheresis from advantage; see advantage.
Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA