vail

¹ American  

[veyl] / veɪl /

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 American  

[veyl] / veɪl /

verb (used with or without object)

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

---

noun

1. a tip; gratuity.

vail ³ American  

[veyl] / veɪl /

noun

1. a veil.

---

verb (used with object)

1. to veil.

vail ¹ British  

/ 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

---

vail ² British  

/ veɪl /

noun

1. an archaic word for avail

---

vail ³ British  

/ veɪl /

noun

1. an archaic spelling of veil

---

Etymology

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

Example Sentences

Vail Resorts MTN -2.65%decrease; red down pointing triangle reported a wider loss and fewer sales of its passes for this year’s ski season in its fiscal first quarter as it implements a turnaround plan to draw skiers back to its mountains.

From The Wall Street Journal

Katz, who first served as CEO of the company for 15 years before stepping down in 2021, returned earlier this year with a charge of bringing skiers back to Vail’s resorts.

From The Wall Street Journal

Last winter, visits to Vail’s North American resorts declined, despite the number of U.S. skiers overall increasing.

From The Wall Street Journal

This week, Vail revealed a new promotion that gives additional discounts to people who purchase their tickets four weeks in advance.

From The Wall Street Journal

Vail said it would offer more promotions this year to drive single-day ticket sales and has lowered lift ticket prices at some resorts.

From The Wall Street Journal