[ 'beɪlɪf ]
■ noun
1》 a sheriff's officer who executes writs and processes and carries out distraints and arrests.
2》 Brit. the agent of a landlord.
3》 N. Amer. an official in a court of law who keeps order and looks after prisoners.
4》 Brit. historical the sovereign's representative in a district, especially the chief officer of a hundred.
5》 the first civil officer in the Channel Islands.
Origin
ME: from OFr. baillif , inflected form of bailli (see bailie ), based on L. bajulus 'carrier, manager'.