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to be of use or value to; profit; advantage:
All our efforts availed us little in trying to effect a change.
to be of use; have force or efficacy; serve; help:
His strength did not avail against the hostile onslaught.
to be of value or profit.
advantage; use; efficacy; effective use in the achievement of a goal or objective:
His belated help will be of little or no avail.
avails, Archaic. profits or proceeds.
avail oneself of, to use to one’s advantage:
They availed themselves of the opportunity to hear a free concert.
Contemporary Examples

“There is a fear of police and availing yourself of police protection,” said Clara Long, a researcher at Human Rights Watch.
Woman Who Says She Was Held Captive for 10 Years Feared Deportation Caitlin Dickson May 22, 2014

But it seems the Middletons are not averse to availing of some of the perks that membership of the Firm confers.
James Middleton – Should Royal Police Have Parked His Car? Tom Sykes September 30, 2012

Historical Examples

I need not urge the propriety of availing yourself of your present situation to procure a loan.
The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution (Volume VI) Various

Of course the corporal had no thought of availing himself of the permission so accorded.
The Free Lances Mayne Reid

Hugh Ritson was away from home, and his brother Paul was availing himself of his absence to have the marriage ceremony performed.
A Son of Hagar Sir Hall Caine

If it was intended for our benefit, it was time we were availing ourselves of it.
History of Woman Suffrage, Volume III (of III) Various

Harold was not long in availing himself of the consent given.
Elsie’s Young Folks in Peace and War Martha Finley

The Company were not long in availing themselves of this privilege.
The Great Company Beckles Willson

Since they had plenty of wood, they made the uprights stronger, availing themselves of the experience of their southern trip.
The Voyages and Adventures of Captain Hatteras Jules Verne

We were not long in availing ourselves of this grand opportunity.
The Great Frozen Sea Albert Hastings Markham

verb
to be of use, advantage, profit, or assistance (to)
avail oneself of, to make use of to one’s advantage
noun
use or advantage (esp in the phrases of no avail, to little avail)
adj.

“advantageous,” early 15c., present participle adjective from avail (v.).
v.

c.1300, availen, apparently a French compound formed in English from Old French a- “to” (see ad-) + vailen “to avail,” from vaill-, present stem of valoir “be worth,” from Latin valere (see valiant). Related: Availed; availing. As a noun, from c.1400.
In addition to the idiom beginning with avail