verb
vail
vayl
Vail (verb) means to lower something, such as a hat or flag, as a sign of respect or submission. Example: “The knight vailed his banner as the queen passed.”
verb
1
To lower something, such as a hat or flag, as a sign of respect or submission.
"The knight vailed his banner as the queen passed."
noun
1
Money given as a tip to a servant; a gratuity.
"Guests traditionally left a small vail for the household staff."
How to use vail
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old-fashioned word meaning to lower something out of respect, or a tip given to a servant.
When to use it
Archaic — rarely used in modern English outside of historical writing.
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Word forms
- Plural
- vails
- Third person singular
- vails
- Past tense
- vailed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The knight _____ his banner as the queen passed.
Etymology
From Old French vail, from valoir ("to be worth"), from Latin valere ("to be worth").
Rhymes for vail
See all rhymes for vail →Frequently asked questions
What does “vail” mean?
The word “vail” means to lower something, such as a hat or flag, as a sign of respect or submission. In plain terms, an old-fashioned word meaning to lower something out of respect, or a tip given to a servant.
How do you pronounce “vail”?
“Vail” is pronounced vayl (/veɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “vail” in a sentence?
Here is “vail” used in a sentence: “The knight vailed his banner as the queen passed.”
What part of speech is “vail”?
Depending on how it is used, “vail” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “vail” come from?
The word “vail” comes from Latin. From Old French vail, from valoir ("to be worth"), from Latin valere ("to be worth").
How many meanings does “vail” have?
“Vail” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to lower something, such as a hat or flag, as a sign of respect or submission.
