vail
1[ veyl ]
/ veɪl /
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verb (used with object)
to let sink; lower.
Archaic. to take off or doff (one's hat), as in respect or submission.
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Origin of vail
1First 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)
Other definitions for vail (2 of 3)
vail2
[ veyl ]
/ veɪl /
verb (used with or without object)
to be of use or profit to someone; avail.
noun
a tip; gratuity.
Origin of vail
2First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English vailen, vaille, valen, shortened variant of avail
Other definitions for vail (3 of 3)
vail3
[ veyl ]
/ veɪl /
noun
a veil.
verb (used with object)
to veil.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use vail in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for vail (1 of 3)
vail1
/ (veɪl) /
verb (tr) obsolete
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
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
British Dictionary definitions for vail (2 of 3)
British Dictionary definitions for vail (3 of 3)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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