To lower or descend; an archaic or dialect term meaning to abate, diminish, or let down.
From Middle English, related to Old Norse 'fell' (to fall). The word combines 'a-' (off, away) with 'vell,' creating a sense of downward motion or reduction.
This word is so archaic that it only survives in regional dialects and historical texts—it's the kind of word that linguists get excited about because it connects English to Scandinavian languages through medieval trading contacts!
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