Emily Dickinson Lexicon

VALE, n. [Fr. val; It. valle; L. vallis. Qu. W. gwæl, low, and Eng. to fall, Fr. avaler.]

1. A tract of low ground or of land between hills; a valley. [Vale is used in poetry, and valley in prose and common discourse.] In those fair vales, by nature form'd to please. – Harte.
2. A little trough or canal; as, a pump vale to carry off the water from a ship's pump.
3. Vales, money given to servants. [avails.] [Not used in America.]