[avail] vb [ME, prob. fr. a- (as in abaten to abate) + vailen to avail, fr. OF valoir to be of worth, fr. L valere--more at wield] vi (14c): to be of use or advantage: serve "our best efforts did not ~" ~ vt 1: to be of use or advantage to: profit
2: to result in: bring about "his efforts ~ed him nothing" -- avail oneself of also avail of : to make use of: take advantage of
[2]avail n (15c) 1: advantage toward attainment of a goal or purpose: use "effort was of little ~"
2. pl: profits or proceeds esp. from a business or from the sale of property