paravail

American

[par-uh-veyl, par-uh-veyl] / ˌpær əˈveɪl, ˈpær əˌveɪl /

adjective

Old English Law.

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.

Etymology

Origin of paravail

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

From Project Gutenberg

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023