Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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.

            O, what avails me now that honor high ! --Milton.

   2. 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.
                                                  --Milton.

            I have availed myself of the very first opportunity.
                                                  --Dickens.