/ ˈbeɪlɪf; NAmE / noun
1.
( BrE ) a law officer whose job is to take the possessions and property of people who cannot pay their debts
2.
( BrE ) a person employed to manage land or a large farm for sb else
3.
( NAmE ) an official who keeps order in court, takes people to their seats, watches prisoners, etc.
For more information see the Cultural Guide
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French baillif , inflected form of bailli , based on Latin bajulus carrier, manager.