[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

avail \avail"\, 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.
      1913 webster

            o, what avails me now that honor high  --milton.
      1913 webster

   2. to promote; to assist. obs. --pope.
      1913 webster

   to avail one's self of, to make use of; take advantage of.
      1913 webster

            then shall they seek to avail themselves of names.
                                                  --milton.
      1913 webster

            i have availed myself of the very first opportunity.
                                                  --dickens.
      1913 webster
see also:
availed availing valiant to avail one's self of 

Availing >> A Words
Availing, definition of term: Availing
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