▪ I. vail, n.1 Now arch. or dial.
(veɪl)
Forms: α. 5 vayll(e, 5–7 vayle; 5 Sc. waill(e, waile, 6–7 vaile, 6– vail (6 Sc. vaill), 9 dial. vaail; 6 veyle, 7 veile, 8 veil. β. 5–9 vale.
[f. vail v.1 Cf. avail n.]
I. † 1. Advantage, benefit, profit. Obs.
| c 1430 Lydg. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 9 God send also unto thy most vayle..A spiryt, a strenghte, and of good counsaylle. c 1450 Mirk's Festial 76 For, what maner vertu þat a man haue, but yf he be yn charyte, hit stondys him in no vayle. c 1470 Henry Wallace v. 201 He wyst no waill thar langar for to bide. c 1500 in Denton Eng. in 15th C. (1888) 318 He to kepe vnder yowre tenants and haue all the vayle and thay the burdyn. Ibid., [To] destroy the cherch & the towne for a lytell vayle to yowre place. 1550 Crowley Epigr. 392 At Paryse garden..a man shall not fayle To fynde two or thre hundredes, for the bearwardes vaile. |
b. dial. Advance, progress.
| a 1847 Isle of Wight Gloss. (E.D.S.) s.v., Thee dosn't zim to meyak much vaail. |
† 2. of (..) vail, of profit, value, or worth. Obs. Chiefly Sc.
| c 1450 Mirk's Festial 262 Þeras he was wont..to speke mony an ydull worde and of no vayle, aftyr he turnet al his speche ynto profyt. c 1470 Henry Wallace i. 167 The byschoprykis, that war of gretast waile, Thai tuk in hand. 1475 in 3rd Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. 418/1 Sayand that the brocht that Master Thomas..fand is of vayll, and the brocht that I..fand..is of na wayll. 1535 Stewart Cron. Scot. II. 136 Quhen he considderit haill The Britis war bot of sa litill vaill. |
† 3. Sc. Value or worth; account, estimation.
| 1471 Acta Audit. 11/1 And gif þai oxin be of mare vale, he to restor again þe Remanent. 1480 Acta Dom. Conc. (1839) 52/1 Henry to pay to þe said sir edward sa mekle as þe said teind was of vale. 1535 Stewart Cron. Scot. I. 98 Als force it is no tyme to him to faill, And lufe all thing ay efter the awin vaill. 1567 Gude & Godlie B. (S.T.S.) 74 Than man I..my Goddis name manesweir, And set him at full lytill vaill. |
II. 4. A casual or occasional profit or emolument in addition to salary, stipend, wages, or other regular payment, esp. one accruing or attached to an office or position; a fee or offering of this nature. Usu. in pl. Now arch. or Obs.
The pl. is occas. found construed as a sing.
| c 1450 Godstow Reg. 648 The half of all offerynges & vayles of the auter. Ibid., The offrynges & the vaylys of fowre days by the yere. c 1460 Oseney Reg. 113 A..chapeleyne, þe which shall take all þe obuencions (or vayles) of þe Auter of þe same chapell. 1550 T. Lever in Strype Eccl. Mem. (1721) II. 103 The number of the stock reserved, all manner of vails beside. 1563–70 Foxe A. & M. (1596) 265/2 The church of S. Helen,..which was then esteemed woorth an hundred marks by yeere, besides other vailes and commodities belonging to the same. 1618 Barnevelt's Apol. F iij b, Out of the wages allowed by the citie with other veiles I could wel-nigh maintaine my family. 1645 E. Pagitt Heresiogr. (1647) 84 Our vailes for Burialls & Christenings is..ceast. 1712 Arbuthnot John Bull (1727) 102 For he would quickly lick himself whole again by his vails. 1720 Swift Fates Clergymen Wks. 1751 II. ii. 27 His revenue (besides vails) amounted to about thirty pounds a year. 1834 Macaulay Ess., Thackeray's Earl Chatham (1897) 300 These ignominious vails Pitt resolutely declined. |
| transf. and fig. 1608 Topsell Serpents (1658) 627 To shew that mindes and tongues with Learnings brand, Are blest with plenty in all wordly vails. 1694 Crowne Regulus v, You scorn those scorns which always are the vales Of that unlucky office [i.e. of a spy]. |
b. A dole or gratuity given to one in an inferior position. (Cf. 5.)
| 1622 J. Taylor (Water P.) Very Merry-Wherry-Ferry Voy. Wks. (1630) 13 Let Trencher-Poets scrape for such base vailes, I'l take an Oare in hand when writing failes. 1693 Dryden Juvenal i. 176 Since our Knights and Senators account To what their sordid begging Vails amount. 1863 W. W. Story Roba di R. iii. 45 There are festivals and ceremonials where the people demand as of right certain vails and presents called mancie and propine. |
c. A gift or present in the nature of a bribe.
| 1687 A. Lovell tr. Thevenot's Trav. i. 253 Not reckoning a great many other Vails that are to be given every day almost to the Sous-Basha and several other knaves. 1886 C. Dick The Model, etc. 80 The Custom House they passed with smile and tributary vail. |
5. A gratuity given to a servant or attendant; a tip; spec. one of those given by a visitor on his departure to the servants of the house in which he has been a guest. Now arch. a. In pl.
In the 17th and 18th centuries servants were largely paid by these gratuities, and the practice of giving them is freq. alluded to in the literature of the period. The word is recorded in various midland dialect glossaries, but usually as obsolescent.
| α 1605 London Prodigal ii. iv, Artichoke [servant to Sir Launcelot]. Our yeares wages and our vailes will scarcely pay for broken swords and bucklers. 1653 Milton Hirelings Wks. 1851 V. 362 Why should he, like a Servant, seek Vails over and above his Wages? 1729 Swift Direct. Serv. Wks. 1883 XI. 375, I advise you of the servants..who expect vails, always to stand rank and file when a stranger is taking his leave. 1757 E. Griffith Lett. Henry & Frances (1767) IV. 157 note, An Agreement entered into among the Gentlemen of several Counties in Ireland, not to give Vails to Servants. 1778 T. Hutchinson Diary II. 218 One custom they kept up, which is laid down almost everywhere else—they allow their servants to take vails. 1823 Spirit Public Jrnls. 107 If you tell tales, My son shall your place have, and pocket your vails. 1859 Thackeray Virgin. i, The lacqueys rose up from their cards to open the door to him, in order to get their ‘vails’. 1904 Times 20 Aug. 12/6 English visitors measure their vails..with discretion..in America. |
| fig. 1632 Sanderson Serm. (1681) I. 310 These things among other the servants of God may certainly reckon upon, as the certain vails and benefits of His service. 1742 Young Nt. Th. i. 408 Time lodg'd in their own hands is folly's vails. |
| Comb. 1760 (title), The Sentiments and Advice of Thos. Trueman, a Footman, setting forth the Custom of Vails-Giving in England. 1860 Smiles Self Help vii. 188 One of the minor social evils..was the custom of what was called vails giving. |
| β 1715 Addison Drummer ii. i. (1722) 18 But. Rare News, my Lads, rare News! Gard. What's the Matter? hast thou got any more Vales for us? a 1763 Shenstone Odes Wks. (1765) 197 Phoo—how she stands—biting her nails—As tho' she play'd for half her vales. 1823 A. Clarke Mem. Wesley Fam. 453 Vales to servants, that sovereign disgrace to their masters. 1878 Lecky Eng. in 18th C. I. iv. 571 The system of vales which made servants in a great degree independent of their masters. 1894 S. Weyman Man in Black 116 They expect their vales at those places. |
b. In sing. rare.
| 1682 Wheler Journ. Greece ii. 192 There are commonly Attendance, who, for a small Vale, will provide you such things as you have Occasion for. 1807 Hoare Tour Irel. 329 The vale or parting token, which the menial servants still in many houses expect. 1866 Lond. Rev. 7 April 337/2 Calling for the bill, and settling it off-hand was pleasant, but the vail to the waiter was delicious. |
6. pl. = perquisite 3 c. Now rare.
In early use applied to the remnants of material left over by a tailor after making a garment or suit.
| 1592 Greene Upst. Courtier D b, He is paide for his workmanship, vnlesse by misfortune his shieres slippe awrye, and then his vales is but a shred of home spunne cloth. Ibid., The vales of one veluet breech is more then twenty paire of mine. 1612 T. Taylor Comm. Titus i. 7 All that is gotten..by stealth or vailes, whereby men vnconscionably shape out their owne commoditie out of another mans cloth. a 1658 Cleveland Wks. (1687) 75 By the same title as the upper Garment is the Vails of the Executioner. 1677 Compl. Servant-Maid 114 Do not covet to have the Kitching Stuff for your Vales, but rather ask the more wages. 1731 Fielding New Way to keep a Wife iii. iii, Where ladies govern there are secrets, and where there are secrets there are vails. I lived with a lady once who used to give her cloaths away every month. a 1732 Gay Fables ii. xi, A Carrier..Would see his horses eat their corn: This sunk the hostler's vails, 'tis true; But then his horses had their due. 1821 Scott Kenilw. xxxvi, These tell-tale articles must not remain here—they are rather too rich vails for the drudges who dress the chamber. 1890 Glouc. Gloss. s.v., The malter did always get the malt-dust for his vails. |
| fig. 1659 Owen Epigr. No. 34, Things only proper unto Males, The Female Sex claim as their Vales. |
▪ II. † vail, n.2 Obs.—1
[f. vail v.2]
The going down or setting of the sun.
| 1606 Shakes. Tr. & Cr. v. viii. 7 Looke..How vgly night comes breathing at his heeles, Euen with the vaile and darking of the Sunne. |
▪ III. † vail, v.1 Obs.
Forms: α. 4–6 vayle (4 uayle), 5–6 vaylle (5 waylle); 4–6 vaille, 4–7 vaile, 5–6 vale; 4–6 vayl, 5–6 vayll; 4–7 (9) vail (4 wail), 4–6 vaill (5–6 waill). β. north. and Sc. 4 vaily, 5 wayly; 5–6 vailȝe, valȝe, wailȝe (6 velȝe, welȝe).
[ad. OF. vail, vaill, 1st pers. pres. indic., or vail-, vaill-, subj. and participial stem of valoir to be of value or worth:—L. valēre. Cf. avail v.]
1. intr. To have might or power; to prevail.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 7375 His faas sal noght a-gain him wail [Fairf. vaily], For him ne his sal i noght fail. |
2. To be of use or service; to avail or profit: a. Used impersonally with it.
Usu. in negative or interrogative sentences and freq. with infinitive compl.
| 1303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 9471 Yn erytage nat long hyt vayleþ, Þe þred eyre leseþ, þat ouþer trauayleþ. 1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) VIII. 37 In a tyme an holy man blamed hym for þat dede, and it vayled nouȝt. c 1400 Beryn 3883 ‘What vaylith it,’ quod hanybald, ‘to angir or to curs?’ 1426 Lydg. De Guil. Pilgr. 6160 Whan she sawh yt wayllede nouht Mor to maken resistence. 1509 Hawes Past. Pleas. 35 Where is no reason it vayleth not to chatter. 1592 W. Wyrley Armorie 119 What booteth it of Gentries brag to boast, What vaileth it, old ensignes foorth to show? 1601 Weever Mirr. Mart. E j, What vaileth it a lion be a king Closely shut vp within this tower of stone. |
b. With other subjects.
| c 1340 Hampole Pr. Consc. 3646 Ay, whiles he is in dedly syn, His help vailles noght, bot es in vayne. 1390 Gower Conf. III. 89 Thurgh this science it is ful soght, Which vaileth and which vaileth noght. c 1430 Lydg. Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 26 Withoute trouth what vailith high noblesse? 1456 Sir G. Haye Law Arms (S.T.S.) 178 Gif be the benefice of sauf condyte vaillis nocht, never man wald traist efter in sauf condyt. 1522 Skelton Why not to Court 101 Ther vayleth no resonynge, For wyll dothe rule all thynge. 1568 T. Howell Arb. Amitie (1879) 66 What vailes the glittering Golde, when loue is forcde to flee. 1608 Topsell Serpents (1658) 791 Small was the bodies band, And of the Lizards poysonous, this least in shape did vail. |
c. Const. to (a person or thing). Cf. 3.
| c 1400 Rom. Rose 5765 To hym not vailith his preching. 1422 Yonge tr. Secreta Secret. 247 To this thynges hit vaillyth moche to haue richesse and glory. c 1475 Pol. Poems (Rolls) II. 284 And yet when suche clothe ys alle ywrowte, To the maker it waylyth lytylle or nowȝtte. |
d. vail que (or quod) vail, vail that vail might [ad. F. vaille que vaille], whatever may (or might) happen, at all hazards; = avail v. 1 c. Chiefly Sc.
| 1375 Barbour Bruce ix. 147 Bot gif othir wald thame assalȝe, Thai wald defend, avalȝe que valȝe [Edin. MS. wailȝe que wailȝe]. c 1475 Partenay 2672 Vail that vail might, the monkys brend so. 1513 Douglas æneid ix. Prol. 86 Thus, vaill que vaill, ilk gude deyd helpis other. 1530 Lyndesay Test. Papyngo 161, I wyll, said scho, ascend, vailȝe quod vailȝe. 1550 ― Sqr. Meldrum 951 Now, vailȝe quod vailȝe, Upon the Ladie thow mak ane sailȝe. |
3. trans. (Orig. with indirect object.) To be of use, advantage, or benefit to; to aid, assist, or help (a person, etc.): a. With it, or infin. clause.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 3640 Bot þou sal do sun mi consail, Wel i wat it sal þe wail. c 1400 Laud Troy Bk. 8550 Hit hadde the vayled, hadde it be-tid. c 1460 Sir R. Ros La Belle Dame 720 What vayleth you to schew so gret rygour? 1509 Hawes Past. Pleas. i. (Percy Soc.) 7 It vayled not the bodye for to dispose Against the head. 1596 Lodge Life & Death W. Longbeard C j b, What vailes me to compose As many verses as Homer did make? 1813 Scott Rokeby ii. xxviii, What 'vail'd it him, that brightly play'd The morning sun on Mortham's glade? |
b. With other subjects.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 26147 If þou be stad in suilk a nede For mikil may þe wail þis dede. c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 12580 Þer-to algate dos ȝour trauail, & þat we may, we wil ȝow vaille. c 1380 Sir Ferumb. 877, xx{supt}{suph} slow he of þat rout, þat non armure ne miȝt hem vaille. c 1450 Lovelich Graal lii. 900 His defens ne vailled him not sekerly. c 1470 Henry Wallace ii. 112 The thrid he straik..The crag in twa; no weidis mycht him waill. a 1510 Douglas K. Hart ii. 273 In all disport he may ws gritlie vaill. 1530 Palsgr. 764/2 What vayleth your rychesses you nowe? a 1557 Abp. Parker Ps. i. 2 My goodes can vayle thee nought. |
4. Of persons: To be worth in respect of means or wealth.
| 1576 Reg. Privy Council Scot. Ser. i. II. 520 Ane honest man and baroun vailyeand in landis and gudis mair nor twenty thowsand pundes. |
Hence † ˈvailing ppl. a.1 Obs.
| c 1470 Gol. & Gaw. 328 Ane sayndis-man..Wise, vailyeing, and moist of valour. |
▪ IV. vail, v.2 Now arch.
(veɪl)
Forms: α. 4–7 vale. β. 6–7 vayl(e, vaill, vaile, 6– vail. γ. 6 veile, 7–9 veil.
[ad. OF. valer (rare), or aphetic f. avale v.]
I. trans.
1. To lower (a weapon, banner, etc.); to cause or allow to descend or sink.
| c 1330 R. Brunne Chron. Wace (Rolls) 12384 Þat swerd he lifte wel on hey, & valede his scheld a party. 1600 Fairfax Tasso xx. xlii, She broke and cleft the crown; and caus'd him vaile His proud and lofty top. 1610 G. Fletcher Christ's Vict. on Earth xxxvi, But all so soone as heav'n his browes doth bend, Shee veils her banners, and pulls in her beames. 1864 Skeat tr. Uhland's Poems 234 Faint with toil, he vails his spear. |
b. spec. To lower in sign of submission or respect.
| 1599 Greene George a Greene G ij, If any aske a reason why? or how? Say, English Edward vaild his staffe to you. 1616 J. Lane Contn. Sqr.'s T. v. 331 At whose approche th' whole armie veild their pikes, soldiers and officers on knees down strikes. 1651 Davenant Gondibert i. i. 68 They vayl'd their Ensignes as it by did move. 1687 A. Lovell tr. Thevenot's Trav. i. 289 The besieged begged Quarter, veiled their Standards and Colours, as a sign that they submitted to the Discretion of the Sultan. |
c. To lower or cast down (the eyes); to bend, bow down (the head, etc.); to hang (the tail).
| 1586 J. Ferne Blaz. Gentrie 28 Which bird,..after he hath caste downe his eyes as ashamed at the lothsomnes of his feet, vayleth his taile and plucketh downe the pride of his plumes. 1594 Kyd Cornelia v. 418 Valing your Christall eyes to your faire bosoms. 1646 Quarles Hieroglyphikes vii. 1 What dire disaster bred This change, that thus she vails her golden head? 1657 Lust's Dominion i. iii. in Hazl. Dodsley XIV. 105, I, vailing my knees to the cold earth. 1675 T. Plume Life Hacket in Cent. Serm. p. xlvii, The jolly Prelat..never stoopt nor vail'd his head. 1836 Keble Lyra Apost. 117 Voice of the wise of old! Go..teach proud Science where to vail her brow. 1859 Tennyson Guinevere 655 Here her hand Grasp'd, made her vail her eyes: she look'd and saw The novice. |
† d. To throw down, give up or surrender (a purse). rare—1.
| 1593 Peele Edw. I, H ij b, And this sentence is..confirmed by our Lord Lluellen Prince of Wales, and Robin Hood of the great mountaines. So vaile your budgettes to Robin of the mountaine. |
2. To doff or take off (a bonnet, hat, crown, or other head-dress), esp. out of respect or as a sign of submission. Also const. to or unto (a person, etc.).
| α, β c 1460 Emare 992 When he mette the emperour, He valed his hode with gret honour. 1528 Roy Rede me (Arb.) 32 In every place wheare we were presente, They vayled their bonetis and bowed a kne. 1591 Lyly Endym. iii. iii, Hee..sayth, seeing it is the fashion of the world, hee will vaile bonet to beautie. 1600 Fairfax Tasso ii. xlviii. 29 This said, the virgin gan her beauoir vale. 1654 H. L'Estrange Chas. I (1655) 11 His Speech being ended, the King vailed his Crown, a thing rare in any of his Predecessors. a 1693 Urquhart's Rabelais iii. xlii, Pantagruel vayling his Cap and making a Leg with such a majestick Garb,..farewell'd Trinquamelle the President. 1819 Scott Leg. Montrose viii, The bonnets, which hitherto each Chief had worn,..were now at once vailed in honour of the royal warrant. 1843 Lytton Last Bar. ii. ii, The earl acknowledged their greeting by vailing his plumed cap. |
| γ 1601 Holland Pliny II. 305 As for veiling bonnet before great rulers and magistrats, or within their sight [etc.]. 1603 Dekker Wonderfull Year Wks. (Grosart) I. 138 Into which [alehouse] as good lucke was,..veiling his Bonnet, he strucke in. 1740 Somerville Hobbinolia ii. 279 He spake, And veil'd his Bonnet to the Crowd. 1825 Scott Talism. xxiv, The spiritual dignitaries, who in those days veiled not their bonnets to created being, bestowed on the King..their blessing instead of rendering obeisance. |
b. fig. with bonnet: To manifest submission; to acknowledge oneself overcome or surpassed; to yield, give way. (Cf. 3 b.)
| 1579 Gosson Sch. Abuse (Arb.) 59 If you giue but a glance to your beholders, you haue vayled the bonnet in token of obedience. 1596 K. Edw. III, v. 78 Copland..with a lowly minde Doth vale the bonnet of his victory. 1609 Holland Amm. Marcell. 360 My heart yerneth..to thinke how many right honourable personages in this unseemly..manner were debased and brought to vale bonet. 1626 in Foster Eng. Factories India (1909) III. 138 None is made so happy but he hath cause to vale the bonnett. 1739 R. Whatley Three Lett. 14 After the noted rupture in St. James's Square, he had so remarkably veil'd his bonnet. |
c. (As prec.) To submit or yield, to show respect, to some person, etc.
| 1587 Holinshed Chron. III. 297/1 All christendome must veile the bonnet to his holinesse. 1590 Nashe Martin Marprelate Wks. (Grosart) I. 241 All Schooles of Phylosophers shoulde haue vailed the bonet vnto God. 1611 Coryat Crudities 266 Shee wil very neare benumme and captivate thy senses, and make reason vale bonnet to affection. 1675 J. Smith Chr. Relig. App. ii. 14 Therefore we see all the Grecian Philosophy that was not founded upon Tradition..veil'd the Bonnet to that of Pythagoras, Socrates and Plato. |
† 3. Naut. To lower, to let or haul down (a sail).
| 1553 Brende Q. Curtius C c iiij, The waues dyd ryse so hygh and thicke..that the shipmen beganne to vale their sayles. 1586 T. B. La Primaud. Fr. Acad. I. 351 In the meane while he taketh the helme into his hande, he vaileth the foresaile, and..laboreth to come out of the darke sea. 1634–5 Brereton Trav. (Chetham Soc.) 3 We vailed our topsail, and.. it being answered that we were of London and bound for Rotterdam, we were dismissed. |
| fig. 1589 Greene Menaphon Wks. (Grosart) VI. 48 If he will her to keepe a low sayle, she will vayle al her sheete. |
b. esp. To lower as a salute or in acknowledgement of inferiority. Chiefly with bonnet as object. Sometimes fig. (Cf. 2 b.)
| (a) 1509, a 1529 [see bonnet n. 2]. 1560 J. Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 365 The french Captaine..signified vnto them that for honoure sake, after the olde accustomed facion, they shuld vaile their bonnets, strike saile, and hailse her with shoting of their ordinaunce. 1613 Purchas Pilgrimage (1614) 730 Mysians, Troyans, Tyrians vaile your bonnets, strike your top-sailes to this Indian-Admirall. 1633 Sir J. Burroughs Sov. Brit. Seas (1651) 62 Divers Ships..that have constantly kept the Narrow Seas, unto which all strangers even at this day vaile Bonnet in acknowlegement of this Superioritie. 1678 Marvell Growth Popery Wks. 1875 IV. 282 The pretended causes [of war] were made publick, which were, the not having vailed bonnet to the English yacht [etc.]. |
| (b) 1631 Heywood Fair Maid of West i. iv, It did me good To see the Spanish Carvel vail her top Unto my maiden flag. 1653 H. Cogan tr. Pinto's Trav. xix. 68 In token of joy they gave a great shout, and withall vailing their top sails in shew of obedience. |
† 4. fig. a. To abase, humble, or lower (one's courage, the heart, etc.); to submit, subject, or yield (one thing) to (another). Obs.
| 1582 Stanyhurst æneis iv. (Arb.) 98 Also let oure Dido vayle her hert too bedfeloe Troian. c 1592 Marlowe Jew of Malta v. ii, Now vaile your pride you captiue Christians. 1602 J. Davies (Heref.) Mirum in Modum Wks. (Grosart) I. 15/2 Vaile, vaile thy thoughts, th' imaginations vaile, Vnto the depth of all profundities. 1649 Bp. Hall Cases Consc. i. (1650) 2 There can be no reason why you should vail your owne just advantage to another mans excesse. 1654 Owen Saints' Persev. iv. Wks. 1851 XI. 211 Expressing much confidence that the world of saints..will vail their faith and understanding to his dictates. 1827 Scott Surg. Dau. v, When his gold-laced hat veiled its splendour before the fresher mounted beavers of the 'prentices of Dr. Gray. |
b. To strike or cast down. rare—1.
| 1590 Greene Orl. Fur. v. i, Then maist thou think that Mars himself came down To vaile thy plumes and heaue thee from thy pompe. |
II. intr.
† 5. To fall (down); to descend. Obs.
| c 1400 Rowland & O. 497 A quartere of his helme a-waye gane vale, And halfen-dele his one Ere. ? a 1412 Lydg. Two Merch. 542 Thus is he valyd adoun from high degre. c 1570 Henry's Wallace viii. 1189 The donk dew doun fra the heuin did vaill. 1591 Sylvester Du Bartas i. iii. (1641) 23 When, through Heav'n's Vault vailing toward Spain, The Moone descendeth. Ibid. i. vii. 59 Here vales a Valley, there ascends a Mountain. 1624 Fletcher Wife for Month iii. iii, His jollity is down, valed to the ground Sir, And his high hopes..Are turn'd tormentors to him. |
† b. Of a swelling: To go down, subside. Obs.
| c 1450 St. Cuthbert (Surtees) 4261 He laide þe hare on his eye lidd, Abouen þe bolnyng... Be fore þe mete, it vale. |
† c. Of a storm: To abate, cease. Obs.—1
| 1606 Sylvester Tropheis 235 Wks. (Grosart) II. 241 The Stormes that long disturb'd the State are val'd. |
6. Of a bonnet or banner: To be doffed or lowered in token of respect or submission.
| c 1550 A pore helpe 214 in Hazl. E.P.P. III. 260 And telles them suche a tale As makes theyr bonettes vale. 1742 Pope Dunc. iv. 205 His [i.e. Bentley's] Hat, which never vail'd to human pride, Walker with rev'rence took, and laid aside. 1826 M. W. Shelley Last Man II. 15 The inhabitants in thousands were assembled to give him hail,..the soldiery presented arms, the banners vailed. |
† 7. To drop or sail down stream or with the tide. Also with down. Obs.
| 1544 St. Papers Hen. VIII, X. 118 Our other shippes, which be already valed. 1553 in Hakluyt Voy. (1598) I. 234 We departed from Detford, passing by Greenwich..and so valed unto Blackwall. 1598 Hakluyt Ibid. 367 Wee departed..before Sunne rising and valed downe the riuer sometime sailing, and sometime rowing. |
† 8. To bow or bend down to the ground in obeisance or salutation. Obs.—1
| c 1593 Marlowe Hero & Leander i. 159 There Hero..Vaild to the ground, vailing her eie-lids close, And modestly they opened as she rose. |
III. absol.
† 9. Naut. To lower the sail. (Cf. 3.) Also in fig. context. Obs.
| 1512 in Rymer Foedera (1710) XIII. 330 No Vessell of the Flete vale or plukke doun his Saill unto such tyme as the Admiral hath valed. c 1592 Marlowe Jew of Malta ii. ii, Because we vail'd not to the Turkish Fleet. 1601 B. Jonson Poetaster iii. iv, What, will he saile by, and not once strike, or vaile to a Man of warre? 1650 Weldon Crt. Jas. I, 49 A Dutch Man of Warre comming by that Ship, would not vail, as the manner is, acknowledging by that, our Soveraignty over the Sea. |
10. To doff or take off the cap or hat (to a person, etc.).
| 1599 B. Jonson Ev. Man out of Hum. v. iv, 1st Cup. The health of that honourable countess... 2nd Cup. I doe vaile to it with reverence. 1631 Massinger Emperor East i. ii, I have..set down, To a hair's-breadth, how low a new⁓stamp'd courtier May vail to a country gentleman. 1648 G. Daniel Poems Wks. (Grosart) I. 214 Hee [Herbert] the vtmost Fame Has gain'd; and now they vaile, to heare Him Sing. c 1700 Pomfret Poems, Dies Novissima (1736) 9 Straight I finish'd—veiling low. 1753 Richardson Grandison II. iv. 39, I would sooner veil to such a Man as this than to a King on his throne. a 1845 Barham Ingol. Leg. Ser. iii. Lord of Thoulouse, Knights..Before Count Raymond bend the knee, And vail to him. |
| transf. 1597 Lyly Wom. in Moon v. i, The Iocund trees that vald when she came neare, And..Did seeme to say, ‘Pandora is our Queene’. |
11. fig. To submit, yield, give place to (or unto); to acknowledge the superiority or supremacy of.
In freq. use by 17th c. divines.
| 1610 Holland Camden's Brit. i. 301 All rivers else beside Vaile unto me. 1627 Hakewill Apol. (1630) 395 To Cæsars Amphitheater all other workes must vaile. a 1677 Barrow Serm. (1686) I. 335 These indeed are lofty commendations thereof, yet all of them may worthily veil to this. 1706 De Foe Jure Divino x. 232 Vail Satyr to the mighty Edward's Fame. 1779 T. Hutchinson Diary II. 243 The Ministry vail to every measure to humour the people. 1824 L. Murray Eng. Gram. (ed. 5) I. 525 They all vail to the English idiom, and scruple not to acknowledge its superiority over their own. |
b. To do homage to one.
| 1608 Shakes. Per. iv. Prol. 29 When She would with rich and constant pen Vail to her mistress Dian. |
Hence ˈvailing ppl. a.2
| a 1639 Wotton in Reliq. (1672) 386 Where surging flouds and valing ebbs can tell That none beyond thy marks must sink or swell. |
▪ V. † vail, v.3 Obs.—1
In 7 vaile.
[f. vail n.1 5.]
absol. To give vails or gratuities.
| 1598–9 B. Jonson Case Altered ii. ii, Why, now you come near him, sir; He doth vaile, he doth remunerate. |
▪ VI. vail
obs. f. veil n. and v.