A*vail" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Availed (); p. pr. & vb. n. Availing.] [OE. availen, fr. F. (L. ad) + valoir to be worth, fr. L. valere to be strong, to be worth. See Valiant.] 1. To turn to the advantage of; to be of service to; to profit; to benefit; to help; as, artifices will not avail the sinner in the day of judgment.
O, what avails me now that honor high !
Milton.
2. To promote; to assist. [Obs.]
Pope.
To avail one's self of, to make use of; take advantage of.
Then shall they seek to avail themselves of names.
Milton.
I have availed myself of the very first opportunity.
Dickens.
© Webster 1913.
A*vail", v. i. To be of use or advantage; to answer the purpose; to have strength, force, or efficacy sufficient to accomplish the object; as, the plea in bar must avail, that is, be sufficient to defeat the suit; this scheme will not avail; medicines will not avail to check the disease. "What signs avail ?"
Milton.
Words avail very little with me, young man.
Sir W. Scott.
© Webster 1913.
A*vail" (?), n. 1. Profit; advantage toward success; benefit; value; as, labor, without economy, is of little avail.
The avail of a deathbed repentance.
Jer. Taylor.
2. pl. Proceeds; as, the avails of a sale by auction.
The avails of their own industry.
Stoddard.
Syn. -- Use; benefit; utility; profit; service.
© Webster 1913.
A*vail", v. t. & i. See Avale, v. [Obs.]
Spenser.
© Webster 1913. | 
