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bailiff

In the United States a bailiff is defined as a court officer in charge of relaying messages, helping people go where needed, and keeping general order of the courtroom. In England a bailiff is an official who collects taxes and serves legal documents.

(noun)

An example of a bailiff in the U.S. is the uniformed officer in a courtroom who escorts the defendant in and helps them be seated in the proper place.
An example of a bailiff in England is the person hired to serve papers on a man who is behind on his taxes.

See bailiff in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a deputy sheriff who serves processes, etc.
a court officer who guards the jurors, maintains order in the courtroom, etc.
in England, an administrative official of a district, with power to collect taxes, serve as a magistrate, etc.
Chiefly Brit. an overseer or steward of an estate

Origin: ME bailif < OFr bailif < baillier, to govern, keep in custody: see bail

See bailiff in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A court attendant entrusted with duties such as the maintenance of order in a courtroom during a trial.
An official who assists a British sheriff and who has the power to execute writs, processes, and arrests.
Chiefly British An overseer of an estate; a steward.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English baillif

Origin: , from Old French baillis, baillif-, overseer of an estate, steward

Origin: , from Medieval Latin *bāiulīvus

Origin: , from Latin bāiulus, carrier

Related Forms: