bailliage
|bai-lli-age|
/ˈbeɪliɑːʒ/
jurisdiction under a bailiff
Etymology
'bailliage' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'bailliage', where the element 'bailli' meant 'bailiff' (an official) and the suffix '-age' formed nouns indicating a jurisdiction or condition.
'bailliage' developed in Old French from 'bailli' (the official) plus '-age'; 'bailli' itself traces back to Medieval Latin forms such as 'baiulus'/'bajulus' meaning a bearer or official, and the term passed into Middle English usage as an administrative or legal term.
Initially, it meant 'district or jurisdiction under a bailli', and over time it has remained similar in sense but become archaic in modern English, often replaced by terms like 'bailiwick' or 'jurisdiction'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
in medieval France, an administrative and judicial district governed by a bailli (bailiff).
The bailliage handled local courts and the collection of royal revenues.
Synonyms
Noun 2
(Historical/English usage) The office, jurisdiction, or authority of a bailiff; an archaic term roughly equivalent to 'bailiwick'.
Records show disputes over the boundaries of the bailliage during the 14th century.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/01 22:04