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Dictionary Language resources

vail

Pronunciation: /veɪl/

Definition of vail

verb

[with object] archaic

take off or lower (one’s hat or crown) as a token of respect or submission.
[no object] take off one’s hat or otherwise show respect or submission to someone.

Origin:

Middle English (originally in the sense 'lower (one's eyes, weapon, banner, etc.) as a sign of submission'): shortening of obsolete avale, from Old French avaler 'to lower', from a val 'down' (literally 'in the valley')