n. [ F. caravane (cf. Sp. caravana), fr. Per. karwān a caravan (in sense 1). Cf. Van a wagon. ] 1. A company of travelers, pilgrims, or merchants, organized and equipped for a long journey, or marching or traveling together, esp. through deserts and countries infested by robbers or hostile tribes, as in Asia or Africa. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A large, covered wagon, or a train of such wagons, for conveying wild beasts, etc., for exhibition; an itinerant show, as of wild beasts. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A covered vehicle for carrying passengers or for moving furniture, etc.; -- sometimes shorted into van. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. caravanier. ] The leader or driver of the camels in caravan. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. the practice of taking holidays in a caravan. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n.; pl. Caravansaries [ F. caravansérai, fr. Per. karwānsarāï; karwān caravan + -sarāï palace, large house, inn. ] A kind of inn, in the East, where caravans rest at night, being a large, rude, unfurnished building, surrounding a court. [ Written also caravanserai and caravansera. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ OF. par aval below; par through (L. per) + aval down; a- (L. ad) + val (L. vallis) a valley. Cf. Paramount. ] (Eng. Law) At the bottom; lowest. Cowell. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ In feudal law, the tenant paravail is the lowest tenant of the fee, or he who is immediate tenant to one who holds over of another. Wharton. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } adv. [ OF. par avant. See Par, and 1st Avaunt. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. In front; publicly. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Beforehand; first. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]