Definition of vail

< vahine

vail >

vail¹    (vl) KEY 

VERB:
Archaic vailed, vail·ing, vails
VERB:
tr.

1. To lower (a banner, for example).
2. To doff (one's hat) as a token of respect or submission.

VERB:
intr.

1. To descend; lower.
2. To doff one's hat.

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ETYMOLOGY:
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