vail

¹

[ veyl ]

verb (used with object)

1. to let sink; lower.
2. Archaic. to take off or doff (one's hat), as in respect or submission.

vail

²

[ veyl ]

verb (used with or without object)

1. to be of use or profit to someone; avail.

noun

1. a tip; gratuity.

vail

³

[ veyl ]

noun

1. a veil.

verb (used with object)

1. to veil.

vail

¹

/ veɪl /

noun

1. an archaic word for avail

vail

²

/ veɪl /

noun

1. an archaic spelling of veil

vail

³

/ veɪl /

verb

1. to lower (something, such as a weapon), esp as a sign of deference or submission
2. to remove (the hat, cap, etc) as a mark of respect or meekness

Word History and Origins

Origin of vail¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English valen, vaile “to subside, sink,” shortened variant of avalen, awalen, availen (now obsolete), from Middle French avaler “to move down,” derived from the phrase a val “down” (literally, ”to the valley”), equivalent to a “to” (from Latin ad ) + val vale )

Origin of vail²

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English vailen, vaille, valen, shortened variant of avail

Origin of vail³

First recorded in 1350–1400

Word History and Origins

Origin of vail¹

c14 valen, from obsolete avalen, from Old French avaler to let fall, from Latin ad vallem, literally: to the valley, that is, down, from ad to + vallis valley

Example Sentences

Sargent said they went skiing in Vail and fishing in Cabo but also talked business.

From The Daily Beast

So, I started writing to this girl Tobi Vail who had a fanzine called Jigsaw, and she was very supportive.

From The Daily Beast

He added that the company could consider legal action against PETA for defamation of Vail.

From The Daily Beast

Vail also allegedly omitted eyewitness testimony that Benjamin was regularly beaten by his Ringling Bros. trainer.

From The Daily Beast

A sister city of St. Moritz, Switzerland, Vail makes being cold the center of its universe and you should, too.

From The Daily Beast

Yet Faith penetrates the vail and sees the glorious land of promise—the inheritance of our race.

From Project Gutenberg

But to her surprise the man sitting at the table in the sitting-room, and reading the newspaper, was not Wise but Mr Vail.

From Project Gutenberg

He was Vail's tool, by reason of past historic incidents, and the scheme had been planned by the two conspirators.

From Project Gutenberg

My land, Jane Vail could of had her choice of the town, where she comes from.

From Project Gutenberg

"It's rare and fine to have you back, Jane Vail," he said, glowing with gladness.

From Project Gutenberg