bail Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun (criminal law) money that must be forfeited by the bondsman if an accused person fails to appear in court for trial
    bail bond; bond.
    • the judge set bail at $10,000
    • a $10,000 bond was furnished by an alderman
  2. noun the legal system that allows an accused person to be temporarily released from custody (usually on condition that a sum of money guarantees their appearance at trial)
    • he is out on bail
  3. verb release after a security has been paid
  4. verb deliver something in trust to somebody for a special purpose and for a limited period
  5. verb secure the release of (someone) by providing security
  6. verb empty (a vessel) by bailing
  7. verb remove (water) from a vessel with a container

WordNet

Bail noun
Etymology
F. baille a bucket, pail; cf. LL. bacula, dim. of bacca a sort of vessel. Cf. Bac.
Definitions
  1. A bucket or scoop used in bailing water out of a boat. Obs.
    The bail of a canoe . . . made of a human skull. Capt. Cook.
Bail transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Bailed (); present participle & verbal noun Bailing
Definitions
  1. To lade; to dip and throw; -- usually with out; as, to bail water out of a boat.
    Buckets . . . to bail out the water. Capt. J. Smith.
  2. To dip or lade water from; -- often with out to express completeness; as, to bail a boat.
    By the help of a small bucket and our hats we bailed her out. R. H. Dana, Jr.
Bail transitive verb
Etymology
OF. bailler to give, to deliver, fr. L. bajulare to bear a burden, keep in custody, fr. bajulus who bears burdens.
Definitions
  1. To deliver; to release. Obs.
    Ne none there was to rescue her, ne none to bail. Spenser.
  2. (Law) (a) To set free, or deliver from arrest, or out of custody, on the undertaking of some other person or persons that he or they will be responsible for the appearance, at a certain day and place, of the person bailed. ✍ The word is applied to the magistrate or the surety. The magistrate bails (but admits to bail is commoner) a man when he liberates him from arrest or imprisonment upon bond given with sureties. The surety bails a person when he procures his release from arrest by giving bond for his appearance. Blackstone. (b) To deliver, as goods in trust, for some special object or purpose, upon a contract, expressed or implied, that the trust shall be faithfully executed on the part of the bailee, or person intrusted; as, to bail cloth to a tailor to be made into a garment; to bail goods to a carrier. Blackstone. Kent.
Bail noun
Etymology
OF. bail guardian, administrator, fr. L. bajulus. See Bail to deliver.
Definitions
  1. Custody; keeping. Obs.
    Silly Faunus now within their bail. Spenser.
  2. (Law) (a) The person or persons who procure the release of a prisoner from the custody of the officer, or from imprisonment, by becoming surely for his appearance in court.
    The bail must be real, substantial bondsmen. Blackstone.
    A. and B. were bail to the arrest in a suit at law. Kent.
    (b) The security given for the appearance of a prisoner in order to obtain his release from custody of the officer; as, the man is out on bail; to go bail for any one.
    Excessive bail ought not to be required. Blackstone.
Bail noun
Etymology
OE. beyl; cf. Dan. böile an bending, ring, hoop, Sw. bögel, bygel, and Icel. beyla hump, swelling, akin to E. bow to bend.
Definitions
  1. The arched handle of a kettle, pail, or similar vessel, usually movable. Forby.
  2. A half hoop for supporting the cover of a carrier's wagon, awning of a boat, etc.
Bail noun
Etymology
OF. bail, baille. See Bailey.
Definitions
  1. (Usually pl.) A line of palisades serving as an exterior defense. Written also bayle. Obs.
  2. The outer wall of a feudal castle. Hence: The space inclosed by it; the outer court. Holinshed.
  3. A certain limit within a forest. Eng.
  4. A division for the stalls of an open stable.
  5. (Cricket) The top or cross piece ( or either of the two cross pieces) of the wicket.

Webster 1913