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>