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availed - 2 dictionary results

a⋅vail

[uh-veyl]
–verb (used with object)
1. to be of use or value to; profit; advantage: All our efforts availed us little in trying to effect a change.
–verb (used without object)
2. to be of use; have force or efficacy; serve; help: His strength did not avail against the hostile onslaught.
3. to be of value or profit.
–noun
4. advantage; use; efficacy; effective use in the achievement of a goal or objective: His belated help will be of little or no avail.
5. avails, Archaic. profits or proceeds.
6. avail oneself of, to use to one's advantage: They availed themselves of the opportunity to hear a free concert.

Origin:
1250–1300; ME availe, equiv. to a- a- 2 + vaile < OF vail- (s. of valoir) < L valēre to be of worth


a⋅vail⋅ing⋅ly, adverb
a·vail   (ə-vāl')   
v.   a·vailed, a·vail·ing, a·vails

v.   tr.
To be of use or advantage to; help: Nothing could avail the dying patient.
v.   intr.
To be of use, value, or advantage; serve: Halfway measures will no longer avail.
n.  Use, benefit, or advantage: labored to no avail.

[Middle English availen : a-, intensive pref. (from Latin ad-; see ad-) + Old French valoir, vail-, to be worth (from Latin valēre, to be strong; see wal- in Indo-European roots).]
a·vail'ing·ly adv.
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