n.
Pronunciation: ' b ā -l ə f
Function: 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 U.S. courts usually serving as a messenger or usher
2 chiefly British : one who manages an estate or farm
– bai · liff · ship \ - ˌ ship \ noun