bail

Meanings

Noun

• Security, usually a sum of money, exchanged for the release of an arrested person as a guarantee of that person's appearance for trial.
• Release from imprisonment on payment of such money.
• The person providing such payment.
• A bucket or scoop used for removing water from a boat etc.
• A person who bails water out of a boat.
• Custody; keeping.
• A hoop, ring or handle (especially of a kettle or bucket).
• A stall for a cow (or other animal) (usually tethered with a semi-circular hoop).
• A hinged bar as a restraint for animals, or on a typewriter.
• A frame to restrain a cow during milking or feeding.
• A hoop, ring, or other object used to connect a pendant to a necklace.
• One of the two wooden crosspieces that rest on top of the stumps to form a wicket.
• Normally curved handle suspended between sockets as a drawer pull. This may also be on a kettle or pail.

Verb

• To secure the release of an arrested person by providing bail.
• To release a person under such guarantee.
• To hand over personal property to be held temporarily by another as a bailment.
• To remove (water) from a boat by scooping it out.
• To remove water from (a boat) by scooping it out.
• To set free; to deliver; to release.
• To exit quickly.
• To fail to meet a commitment (to a person).
• To secure the head of a cow during milking.
• To confine.
• To secure (a cow) by placing its head in a bail for milking.
• To keep (a traveller) detained in order to rob them; to corner (a wild animal); loosely, to detain, hold up. (Usually with up.)

Origin

• From Middle English baille, from the Old French verb bailler and noun bail, from Latin bāiulāre, present active infinitive of bāiulō, from baiulus (English: bailiff).
• From a shortening of bail out, which from above.
• From Middle English beyl, from Proto-Germanic *baugijaną ("to bend, bow").
• From French baillier.