bail Hear it!

bail¹ Definition

bail (bāl)

noun

  1. money, a bond, etc. deposited with the court to obtain the temporary release of an arrested person on the assurance that the person will obey the court's orders, as by appearing for trial
  2. the release thus brought about
  3. the person or persons giving bail

Etymology: ME & OFr, power, control, custody < OFr baillier, to keep in custody, deliver < L bajulare, to bear a burden < bajulus, porter, carrier

transitive verb

  1. to deliver (goods) in trust for a special purpose
  2. to set (an arrested person) free on bail or have (an arrested person) set free by giving bail: often with out
  3. to help out of financial or other difficulty: often with out

bail¹ Idioms

go bail for

to furnish bail for

bail² Definition

bail (bāl)

noun

a bucket or scoop for dipping up water and removing it from a boat

Etymology: ME & OFr baille, bucket < VL *bajula, vessel < bajulare: see bail

intransitive verb, transitive verb

  1. to remove water from (a boat) as with a bail
  2. to dip out (water, etc.) as with a bail

bail² Related Forms
bail′er noun
bail² Idioms

bail out

☆
  1. to parachute from an aircraft in an emergency
  2. Informal to flee a difficult or dangerous situation
bail³ Definition

bail (bāl)

noun

  1. a hoop-shaped support for holding up the cloth of a canopy, etc.
  2. a hoop-shaped handle for a bucket, kettle, etc.
  3. a bar on a typewriter to hold the paper against the platen

Etymology: ME beil < ON beygla < beygja, to bend, arch; ult. < IE base *bheugh- > bow

bail4 Definition

bail (bāl)

noun

  1. Chiefly Brit. a bar or pole to keep animals separate in a barn
  2. Cricket either of two sticks laid across the three stumps to form a wicket

Etymology: ME < OFr baile < ?

bail Synonyms

bail

n.

bond, security, surety, recognizance, pledge, pawn, hostage, warrant, guaranty, collateral.

bail Synonyms

bail

v.

  1. To dip

    scoop, spoon out, dredge; see dip 2.

  2. To empty

    clear, drain, deplete; see empty 2.

out on bail

bailed out, free on bail, released, out on bond; see discharged 1, free 2.

bail Law Definition

n

Security, such as cash, a bond, or property, pledged or given to a court by or on behalf of one accused of committing a crime, to obtain release from incarceration and to ensure the person’s future appearance in court when required during the criminal proceeding. See also preventive detention and recognizance.

v

To obtain for oneself or another the release from incarceration by providing security to ensure the person’s future appearance at every stage in a criminal proceeding.

v

To temporarily give possession of personal property to someone. See also bailment.
excessive bail
Bail set in an amount greater than what is reasonable, in light of the seriousness of the alleged crime and the risk that the defendant might flee, to ensure the person’s appearance at every stage of a criminal proceeding. The Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits the setting of bail in excessive amounts.
bail Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • skip: The message is clear from now on, defendants skipping bail will be dealt.
  • refuse: Of the 3 charged, 1 was police bailed and 2 were refused bail.
  • grant: District judge Joanne Alderson sent him for sentence at Derby Crown Court on August 3. He was granted bail.
  • deny: He poses a threat to the public and should be denied bail.
  • jump: While the Indian executives continue to appear in court, Anderson jumped bail and has not presented himself despite repeated summons.
  • oppose: Procurator fiscal Ms Sue Foard opposed bail, saying Mahady had breached previous orders in the past.

Adjective modifier

  • unconditional: The youth was released on unconditional bail pending reports.
  • conditional: They were remanded on conditional bail to appear in Southwark Crown Court.

Modifies a noun

  • bondsman: Allthe second method the Habitat Futons and Furnishings cda is bail bondsmen.
  • hostel: Those remanded in custody awaiting trial or required to live in a bail hostel are entitled to housing benefit for up to 52 weeks.
  • indictment: Extensions were granted at least once in 24 % of all bail indictments compared with just 6 % in 1995.
  • hearing: Phillips will now appear for a bail hearing at Southwark Crown Court in the next forty eight hours.
  • bond: Free green card or Spanish bail bond for up to 60 days travel in Western Europe on request.
  • warrant: The idea paid off handsomely as we arrested 24 people and executed 65 bail warrants.

Noun used with modifier

  • pre-charge: Use of pre-charge bail is a critical element in the success of CPS lawyers at the point of charge.
  • hay: Seeding rattled through with Dale Holmes strolling in 1st in seeding, Longden nearly came in last after hitting that for mentioned hay bail.
  • police: The total number of persons on police bail now stands at twenty two.

Infinitive complement

  • appear: He has been bailed to appear at Bow St Magistrates Court on 2 July 2003.

Present participle complement

  • pend: All three have been released on police bail pending further forensic tests.

Followed by an intransitive particle

  • out: Alex starts to bail out with an orange plastic mug.

Browse dictionary entries near bail

  1. ‹ Baikal
  2. ‹ Baia-Mare
  3. ‹ Bahutu
  4. ‹ baht
  5. ‹ Bahrain
  6. ‹ Bahia
  7. ‹ Bahasa Indonesia
  8. ‹ Bahamas
  9. ‹ Bahaism
  10. ‹ Bahai
  1. bail bond ›
  2. bail bondsman ›
  3. bail jumping ›
  4. bail out ›
  5. bailable ›
  6. Baile Átha Cliath ›
  7. bailee ›
  8. bailer ›
  9. bailey ›
  10. Bailey bridge ›