vail Hear it!

vail¹ Definition

vail (vāl)

intransitive verb

Archaic to be of use, service, or profit; avail

Etymology: ME vailen < pres. indic. stem of OFr valoir, to be of worth: see avail

noun

Archaic a tip; gratuity

vail² Definition

vail (vāl)

transitive verb

  1. to lower; let sink or fall down
  2. to take off or tip (one's hat, etc.) as a sign of respect or submission

Etymology: ME valen < OFr valer or aphetic < avaler, to descend < à val, down < L ad vallum, lit., to the valley

vail³ Definition

vail (vāl)

noun, transitive verb

Obsolete veil

vail Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • take: And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself.

Noun used with modifier

  • rent: The doors were divided in the center into two folding leaves, reminding us of the rent vail - Christ crucified.

Browse dictionary entries near vail

  1. ‹ vahine
  2. ‹ vagus
  3. ‹ vagueness
  4. ‹ vaguely
  5. ‹ vague
  6. ‹ vagrom
  7. ‹ vagrant
  8. ‹ vagrancy
  9. ‹ vagotropic
  10. ‹ vagotonia
  1. Vail, Alfred ›
  2. vain ›
  3. vainglorious ›
  4. vainglory ›
  5. vainly ›
  6. vair ›
  7. Vaishnava ›
  8. Vaisya ›
  9. val ›
  10. Val d'Aosta ›