from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Avail \A*vail"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Availed} (?); p. pr. & vb.
n. {Availing}.] [OE. availen, fr. F. ? (L. ad) + valoir to be
worth, fr. L. valere to be strong, to be worth. See
{Valiant}.]
1. 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.
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O, what avails me now that honor high ! --Milton.
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2. To promote; to assist. [Obs.] --Pope.
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{To avail one's self of}, to make use of; take advantage of.
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Then shall they seek to avail themselves of names.
--Milton.
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I have availed myself of the very first opportunity.
--Dickens.
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