avail: Meaning and Definition of

a•vail

Pronunciation: (u-vāl'), [key]
— v.t.
  1. to be of use or value to; profit; advantage: All our efforts availed us little in trying to effect a change.
—v.i.
  1. to be of use; have force or efficacy; serve; help: His strength did not avail against the hostile onslaught.
  2. to be of value or profit.
  3. to use to one's advantage: They availed themselves of the opportunity to hear a free concert.
—n.
  1. advantage; use; efficacy; effective use in the achievement of a goal or objective: His belated help will be of little or no avail.
  2. profits or proceeds.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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