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bail

Pronunciation: /beɪl/

The English word “bail” has 20 meanings listed here.

noun

  1. Security, usually a sum of money, exchanged for the release of an arrested person as a guarantee of that person's appearance for trial.
  2. Release from imprisonment on payment of such money.
  3. The person providing such payment.
  4. A bucket or scoop used for removing water from a boat etc.
  5. A person who bails water out of a boat.
  6. Custody; keeping.
  7. A hoop, ring or handle (especially of a kettle or bucket).
  8. A stall for a cow (or other animal) (usually tethered with a semi-circular hoop).
  9. A hinged bar as a restraint for animals, or on a typewriter.
  10. A frame to restrain a cow during milking or feeding.
  11. A hoop, ring, or other object used to connect a pendant to a necklace.
  12. One of the two wooden crosspieces that rest on top of the stumps to form a wicket.

verb

  1. To secure the release of an arrested person by providing bail.
  2. To release a person under such guarantee.
  3. To hand over personal property to be held temporarily by another as a bailment.
  4. To remove (water) from a boat by scooping it out.
  5. To remove water from (a boat) by scooping it out.
  6. To set free; to deliver; to release.
  7. To leave or exit abruptly.
  8. To fail to meet a commitment (to a person).

Etymology

From Middle English baille, from the Old French verb bailler (“to deliver or hand over”) and noun bail (“lease”), from Latin bāiulāre (“carry or bear”), from baiulus (“porter; steward”) (English: bailiff).

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Definitions are from Wiktionary, extracted by Kaikki.org, and are available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.