paravail

[ par-uh-veyl, par-uh-veyl ]

adjective

, Old English Law.

1. being below or inferior to all others; specifically, being a tenant of one who holds land of another who is also a tenant:

   a tenant paravail.

Word History and Origins

Origin of paravail¹

1525–35; < Old French par aval down (of direction, position), equivalent to par through, by ( per- ) + aval, a val down < Latin ad vallem literally, to the valley

Example Sentences

Paravail, par′a-vāl, adj. inferior: lowest, said of a feudal tenant: of least account—opp. to Paramount.

From Project Gutenberg