aviles
LowFormal, Literary, Archaic
Definition
Meaning
To reduce in value, importance, or dignity; to humiliate or degrade.
To lessen the worth or estimation of something or someone; to bring into a lower state or condition.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily an archaic or literary verb. The action is typically transitive and deliberate, implying an agent causing the degradation. Often carries a moral or social judgement.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally rare in both varieties. Slightly more likely to be encountered in historical or legal British texts.
Connotations
In both, it carries a formal, somewhat severe tone, implying a fundamental lowering of status or esteem.
Frequency
Extremely low-frequency word in modern English, found mostly in older literature or stylized prose.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Subject + AVILES + Direct ObjectSubject + AVILES + Object + Prepositional Phrase (e.g., in the eyes of...)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used in modern business contexts.
Academic
Rare; might appear in historical, literary, or philosophical analyses discussing moral or social status.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Not applicable.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The scandal aviled the family's ancient name.
- He would not avile himself by accepting the bribe.
American English
- The false accusations aviled her reputation in the community.
- They sought to avile his achievements out of sheer jealousy.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Such gossip serves only to avile a person's character.
- The king refused to avile his crown by treating with the rebels.
- The polemic was designed not just to criticise but to systematically avile the opposing philosophy.
- He felt that working in the menial job would avile his hard-won education and social standing.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'a vile' (something unpleasant) action: to make someone/something 'a vile' version of themselves.
Conceptual Metaphor
WORTH/DIGNITY IS HEIGHT; to avile is to bring low.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'avail' (использовать, приносить пользу).
- Closer conceptually to 'опорочить', 'унизить', 'умалить (достоинство)' rather than the more common 'обидеть'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'aviles' as a noun (it is a verb).
- Confusing it with 'revile' (to criticize abusively).
- Incorrect conjugation (e.g., 'aviled' for past tense).
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following sentences is 'aviles' used CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an archaic, literary verb with very low frequency in modern usage.
Confusing it with 'avail' (to be of use) or 'revile' (to criticize harshly).
It is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb 'to avile'.
Primarily in older English literature, historical texts, or in very formal, stylised writing aiming for an archaic tone.