Vail \Vail\, v. t. [Aphetic form of avale. See Avale, Vale.]

[Written also vale, and veil.]

1. To let fail; to allow or cause to sink. [Obs.]

Vail your regard Upon a wronged, I would fain have said, a maid! --Shak.

2. To lower, or take off, in token of inferiority, reverence, submission, or the like.

France must vail her lofty-plumed crest! --Shak.

Without vailing his bonnet or testifying any reverence for the alleged sanctity of the relic. --Sir. W. Scott.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Vail \Vail\, v. i. To yield or recede; to give place; to show respect by yielding, uncovering, or the like. [Written also vale, and veil.]

[Obs.]

Thy convenience must vail to thy neighbor's necessity. --South.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Vail \Vail\, n. [Aphetic form of avail, n.]

1. Avails; profit; return; proceeds. [Obs.]

My house is as were the cave where the young outlaw hoards the stolen vails of his occupation. --Chapman.

2. An unexpected gain or acquisition; a casual advantage or benefit; a windfall. [Obs.]

3. Money given to servants by visitors; a gratuity; -- usually in the plural. [Written also vale.]

--Dryden.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Vale \Vale\, n. See 2d Vail, 3.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Vale \Vale\, n. [OE. val, F. val, L. vallis; perhaps akin to Gr. ? low ground, marsh meadow. Cf. Avalanche, Vail to lower, Valley.]

A tract of low ground, or of land between hills; a valley. `` Make me a cottage in the vale.'' --Tennyson.

Beyond this vale of tears there is a life above. --Montgomery.

In those fair vales, by nature formed to please. --Harte.

Note: Vale is more commonly used in poetry, and valley in prose and common discourse.

Syn: Valley; dingle; dell; dale.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)