bail 1
/bayl/ , Law.
n.
1. property or money given as surety that a person released from custody will return at an appointed time.
2. the person who agrees to be liable if someone released from custody does not return at an appointed time.
3. the state of release upon being bailed.
4. go or stand bail for , to provide bail for: They spent the night in jail because no one would stand bail for them.
5. jump bail , to abscond while free on bail: The suspect jumped bail and is now being sought.
6. on bail , released or free as a result of having posted bond: He was out on bail within 10 hours of his arrest.
v.t.
7. to grant or obtain the liberty of (a person under arrest) on security given for his or her appearance when required, as in court for trial.
8. to deliver possession of (goods) for storage, hire, or other special purpose, without transfer of ownership.
[ 1375-1425; late ME bayle bail custody, charge baillier to hand over baiulare to serve as porter v. deriv. of baiulus porter, perh. an Imperial L borrowing from Moesia ba ( r ) i- carry (akin to Albanian m-ba hold) bhor-i-; see BEAR 1 ]
bail 2
/bayl/ , n.
1. the semicircular handle of a kettle or pail.
2. a hooplike support, as for the canvas cover on a Conestoga wagon.
3. a metal band or bar equipped with rollers for holding a sheet or sheets of paper against the platen of a printing press, typewriter, etc.
Also, bale .
[ 1400-50; late ME beyl, perh. beyglast to become bent, equiv. to baug ( r ) ring (see BEE 2 ) + * -il n. suffix + -ast middle inf. suffix ]
bail 3
/bayl/ , v.t.
1. to dip (water) out of a boat, as with a bucket.
2. to clear of water by dipping (usually fol. by out ): to bail out a boat.
v.i.
3. to bail water.
4. bail out ,
a. to make a parachute jump from an airplane.
b. to relieve or assist (a person, company, etc.) in an emergency situation, esp. a financial crisis: The corporation bailed out its failing subsidiary through a series of refinancing operations.
c. to give up on or abandon something, as to evade a responsibility: His partner bailed out before the business failed.
n.
5. Also, bailer . a bucket, dipper, or other container used for bailing.
Also, bale (for defs. 1-3).
[ 1425-75; late ME bayle baille a bucket bai ( u ) la; akin to L baiulus carrier. See BAIL 1 ]
bail 4
/bayl/ , n.
1. Cricket. either of the two small bars or sticks laid across the tops of the stumps which form the wicket.
2. Brit. , Australian. a bar, framework, partition, or the like, for confining or separating cows, horses, etc., in a stable.
3. bails , Obs. the wall of an outer court of a feudal castle.
v.t.
4. bail up , Australian.
a. to confine a cow for milking, as in a bail.
b. to force (one) to surrender or identify oneself or to state one's business.
c. to waylay or rob (someone).
interj.
5. bail up! Australian. (the cry of challenge of a pioneer or person living in the bush.)
[ 1350-1400; ME baile bacula, pl. of baculum stick ]