bailie
|bai-lie|
/ˈbeɪli/
local municipal magistrate
Etymology
'bailie' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'baillie', where the stem 'baill-' related to administering or having custody.
'bailie' passed into Middle English and Scots from Old French 'baillie' (and Anglo-French forms) and appears in Scots usage as 'baillie'/'bailie' for a municipal officer; this evolved into the modern English/Scots form 'bailie'.
Initially, it meant 'custody' or 'authority to administer', but over time it came to refer more specifically to a local municipal magistrate or officer.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a municipal magistrate or senior town officer in Scotland (a civic official who performed judicial and administrative duties).
He served as a bailie on the town council for many years.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/01 18:34