vail (redirected from vails)

vail ¹  (vl)

v. vailed, vail·ing, vails Archaic

v.tr.

1. To lower (a banner, for example).

2. To doff (one's hat) as a token of respect or submission.

v.intr.

1. To descend; lower.

2. To doff one's hat.

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[Middle English valen, short for avalen, from Old French avaler, from aval, downward, from Latin ad vallem, to the valley : ad, to; see ad- + vallem, accusative of valls, valley; see wel-² in Indo-European roots.]

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vail ²  (vl)

n. Obsolete

Variant of veil.

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vail¹

vb (tr) Obsolete

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

[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]

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vail²

n & vb

an archaic word for avail

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vail³

n & vb

an archaic spelling of veil