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.

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vail ² American  

[veyl] / veɪl /

verb (used with or without object)

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

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noun

1. a tip; gratuity.

vail ³ American  

[veyl] / veɪl /

noun

1. a veil.

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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

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vail ² British  

/ veɪl /

noun

1. an archaic word for avail

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vail ³ British  

/ veɪl /

noun

1. an archaic spelling of veil

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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

The Broward County Sheriff’s Office said it was told the initial charge had been dismissed and didn’t know vail was being held for anything else.

From Fox News • Jul. 11, 2019

An unidentified woman wearing a vail of mourning holds a card with the image of Amadou Diallo before the start of a prayer vigil outside the United Nations Sunday, Feb. 27, 2000, in New York.

From Newsweek

To the faithful His Majesty then stated that Her Majesty never lifts her vail in public, thereupon strode from the mosque with clinking spurs while fellow priests revived the flogged zealot.

From Time Magazine Archive

Ten years ago," says Ralph, who became president in 1957, "if we disagreed, his decision would pre vail.

From Time Magazine Archive

‘That doesn’t look very safe,” said Polly, pointing at a place where the vail bulged outward and looked as if it were ready to fall over into the courtyard.

From "The Magician's Nephew" by C. S. Lewis