vail
1- to let sink; lower.
- Archaic. to take off or doff (one's hat), as in respect or submission.
Origin of vail
1vail
2- to be of use or profit; avail.
- a tip; gratuity.
Origin of vail
2vail
3- a veil.
- to veil.
Examples from the Web for vailed
Historical Examples of vailed
As he entered Lyon's room, Witzig saw a lady seated near the door, vailed and evidently waiting for some one.
The Struggle for MissouriJohn McElroy
And still the vailed figure at the window sat rigidly there, uttering no cry, shedding no tears.
A Changed HeartMay Agnes Fleming
An hour afterward, Mr. Blake left his office by the back-door, accompanied by the vailed lady.
A Changed HeartMay Agnes Fleming
A lamp, vailed under a semi-opaque shade, served only to render more visible the shadows of this strange chamber.
And kind and loving were Harold's looks and brief words, as he rode with vailed bonnet through the swarming streets.
Harold, CompleteEdward Bulwer-Lytton
vail
1- to lower (something, such as a weapon), esp as a sign of deference or submission
- to remove (the hat, cap, etc) as a mark of respect or meekness
Word Origin for vail
vail
2- an archaic word for avail
vail
3- an archaic spelling of veil
Word Origin and History for vailed
vail
"advantage, profit," early 15c., from vail (v.) "to be of use or service" (c.1300), from Old French vail, from valoir "to be of value or worth" (see value (n.)).