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avvalere

to avail oneself of; to make use of

verb av-vah-LEH-reh Less Common
People & Society Law

Origin: From Latin ad- + valere (to be strong/worth).

Usage Note

Avvalersi (the reflexive form in everyday use) is always used pronominally — avvalersi di qualcosa (to avail oneself of, to make use of something). It takes essere in compound tenses: si è avvalso della sua esperienza. It is formal and bureaucratic; everyday Italian prefers usare or servirsi di. The right to silence in Italian law is expressed as avvalersi della facoltà di non rispondere.

Examples

"Si è avvalso della consulenza di un esperto."

Natural Translation

He availed himself of an expert's advice.

Literal Translation

Himself is availed of-the advice of an expert.

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