GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 4 definitions

1.       
   Avail , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Availed (); p. pr. & vb. n. Availing.] [OE. availen, fr. F.  (L. ad) + valoir to be worth, fr. L. valere to be strong, to be worth. See Valiant.]
   To turn to the advantage of; to be of service to; to profit; to benefit; to help; as, artifices will not avail the sinner in the day of judgment.
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   O, what avails me now that honor high !
   Milton.
   
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   To promote; to assist. [Obs.]
   Pope.
   
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   To avail one's self of, to make use of; take advantage of.
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   Then shall they seek to avail themselves of names.
   Milton.
   
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   I have availed myself of the very first opportunity.
   Dickens.
   
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2.       
   Avail, v. i. To be of use or advantage; to answer the purpose; to have strength, force, or efficacy sufficient to accomplish the object; as, the plea in bar must avail, that is, be sufficient to defeat the suit; this scheme will not avail; medicines will not avail to check the disease. “What signs avail ?”
   Milton.
   
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   Words avail very little with me, young man.
   Sir W. Scott.
   
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3.       
   Avail , n.
   Profit; advantage toward success; benefit; value; as, labor, without economy, is of little avail.
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   The avail of a deathbed repentance.
   Jer. Taylor.
   
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   pl. Proceeds; as, the avails of a sale by auction.
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   The avails of their own industry.
   Stoddard.
   
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   Syn. -- Use; benefit; utility; profit; service.
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4.       
   Avail, v. t. & i. See Avale, v. [Obs.]
   Spenser.
   
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