bail
|bail|
/beɪl/
temporary release / remove (by scooping)
Etymology
'bail' originates from Old French, specifically the noun 'bail' and verb 'baillier', where the verb meant 'to control, to hand over or to administer.'
'bail' changed from Old French 'bail/baillier' (Anglo-Norman usage) into Middle English 'bail(e)' and eventually became the modern English word 'bail', with senses extending to money for release and to scooping out water.
Initially, it referred to custody or the act of handing someone over; over time it came to mean both the security (money) used for temporary release and the actions of removing water or abandoning/escaping a situation.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a sum of money or form of security given to a court to temporarily release an accused person from custody, ensuring they will return for trial.
The defendant's family managed to raise the bail so he could be released while awaiting trial.
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Noun 2
the action or process of removing water from a boat, cellar, etc.; the water removed.
After the storm, the crew began the bail of water from the lower deck.
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Noun 3
a U-shaped handle or loop on a bucket or on certain hardware (also called a bail handle).
She grabbed the bail of the pail and carried it to the shed.
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Noun 4
in cricket, one of the small wooden pieces that rest on top of the stumps to form the wicket.
When the bowler hit the stumps, the bail flew off.
Verb 1
to secure the temporary release of (someone) from custody by posting bail; to pay bail.
They bailed him out of jail after the arraignment.
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Verb 2
to remove water from (a boat, cellar, etc.), typically by scooping or pumping.
We spent the afternoon bailing the dinghy after it took on water.
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Verb 3
(informal) To leave abruptly or abandon someone or something; to fail to keep a commitment.
He bailed on the meeting at the last minute.
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Last updated: 2025/12/13 05:16