Main Entry:

¹avail

Pronunciation:

\ə-ˈvāl\

Function:

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 availed him nothing>

— avail oneself of also avail of

: to make use of : take advantage of <they availed themselves of his services>