BAILIFF


Meaning of BAILIFF in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ ˈbā-ləf ]

noun

Etymology: Middle English baillif, bailie, from Anglo-French baillif, from bail power, authority, office, from baillier to govern, administer, from Medieval Latin bajulare to care for, support, from Latin, to carry a burden — more at bail

Date: 14th century

1.

a. : an official employed by a British sheriff to serve writs and make arrests and executions

b. : a minor officer of some United States courts usually serving as a messenger or usher

2. chiefly British : one who manages an estate or farm

• bai·liff·ship -ˌship noun

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.