vail

[ 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

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)

Other definitions for vail (2 of 3)

vail²

[ veyl ]

/ veɪl /

Archaic.

verb (used with or without object)

to be of use or profit to someone; avail.

noun

a tip; gratuity.

Origin of vail

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English vailen, vaille, valen, shortened variant of avail

Other definitions for vail (3 of 3)

vail³

[ veyl ]

/ veɪl /

Obsolete

noun

a veil.

verb (used with object)

to veil.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use vail in a sentence

Her face is vailed, and still she sufficiently betrays herself to make more than one of those who pass her look round sharply.
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, No. XXVII, August 1852, Vol. V|Various
The women are vailed, and secluded, as in all oriental countries, but they have still much freedom.
Torrey's Narrative|William Torrey
And so the mysterious vailed woman had been discovered, and she turns out to be Rose Cameron!
The Lost Lady of Lone|E.D.E.N. Southworth
He vailed his bonnet to no one but a judge,—and not always that with much ceremonious observance.
Lady Anna|Anthony Trollope

A damsel admitted us at the gate, closely vailed, as if women's faces were to be seen no more forever.
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol. II, No. X., March 1851|Various

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)

vail²

/ (veɪl) /

noun, verb

an archaic word for avail

British Dictionary definitions for vail (3 of 3)

vail³

/ (veɪl) /

noun, verb

an archaic spelling of veil

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012