vail

[veɪl]

vail Definition

• 1. lower (one's gaze) in respect or submission
• 2. take off or remove (a hat or other item of clothing) as a mark of respect or submission

Using vail: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "vail" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  He vailed his head in front of the king.

• Example

  She vailed her hat to show respect.

• Example

  The knight vailed his lance and charged at the enemy.

• Example

  The audience vailed their heads during the moment of silence.

vail Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for vail

• bow
• kneel
• curtsy
• doff
• tip

Antonyms for vail

• raise
• lift

Phrases with vail

• vail one's bonnet

  to take off one's hat as a sign of respect

  Example

  The gentleman vailed his bonnet to the lady as she passed by.

• vail one's flag

  to lower one's flag as a sign of surrender

  Example

  The defeated army vailed their flag in front of the victorious one.

• vail of tears

  a metaphorical expression for the sorrows and sufferings of life

  Example

  The poet referred to life as a vail of tears, full of pain and misery.

Origins of vail

from Old French 'availler', meaning 'to let fall'

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Summary: vail in Brief

'Vail' [veɪl] is a verb that means to lower one's gaze or take off an item of clothing as a sign of respect or submission. It is often used in formal situations, such as when bowing or curtsying. The phrase 'vail one's bonnet' refers to taking off one's hat as a sign of respect, while 'vail of tears' is a metaphorical expression for the sorrows and sufferings of life.