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It is not only important, but, in a degree necessary, that the people of this country, should have an American Dictionary of the English language; for, although the body of the language is the same as in England, and it is desirable to perpetuate that sameness, yet some differences must exist. Language is the expression of ideas; and if the people of one country cannot preserve an identity of ideas, they cannot retain an identity of language. |
AVA'IL, v.t. [L. valeo, to be strong or able, to profit, to be of force or authority; Eng. well. The primary sense is, to stretch or extend, whence strength, value.]
AVA'IL, v.i. To be of use, or advantage; to answer the purpose; as, strength without judgment will rarely avail. Generally, it signifies 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; suppositions, without proof, will not avail.
AVA'IL, n. Profit; advantage towards success; benefit; as, labor without economy is of little avail. It seems usually to convey the idea of efficacious aid or strength.
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 ! 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. I have availed myself of the very first
opportunity. 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. Profit; advantage toward success; benefit; value; as, labor, without
economy, is of little avail.
The avail of a deathbed repentance. Proceeds; as, the avails of a
sale by auction.
The avails of their own industry. Syn. -- Use; benefit; utility; profit; service. See Avale,
[Obs.] Spenser. | ||||||||