I. ə-ˈvāl verb
Etymology: Middle English, Anglo-French availler, probably from a- (from Latin ad- ) + valer, valoir to be of worth, from Latin valēre — more at wield
Date: 14th century
intransitive verb
: to be of use or advantage : serve
our best efforts did not avail
transitive verb
: to produce or result in as a benefit or advantage : gain
his efforts avail ed him nothing
•
- avail oneself of
II. noun
Date: 15th century
: advantage toward attainment of a goal or purpose : use
effort was of little avail