vail

verb

ˈvāl

vailed; vailing; vails

transitive verb

: to lower often as a sign of respect or submission

Word History

Etymology

Middle English valen, partly borrowed from Anglo-French valer (short for avaler "to lower") & partly short for Middle English avalen "to let fall," borrowed from Anglo-French avaler, verbal derivative of aval "downward," from a "to" (going back to Latin ad) + val "valley" — more at at entry 1, vale

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of vail was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Vail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vail. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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