Bail Definition

bāl
bailed, bailing, bails
noun
bails
Security, usually a sum of money, exchanged for the release of an arrested person as a guarantee of that person's appearance for trial.
American Heritage
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.
Webster's New World
Release from imprisonment provided by the payment of such money.
American Heritage
The release thus brought about.
Webster's New World
A person who provides this security.
American Heritage
verb
bailed, bailing, bails
To secure the release of by providing security.
American Heritage
To remove (water) from a boat by repeatedly filling a container and emptying it over the side.
American Heritage
To deliver (goods) in trust for a special purpose.
Webster's New World
To remove water from (a boat) as with a bail.
Webster's New World
To release (a person) for whom security has been paid.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
idiom
jump
  • To fail to appear in court and so forfeit one's bail.
American Heritage
make bail
  • To secure enough money or property to pay the amount of one's bail.
American Heritage
go bail for
  • to furnish bail for
Webster's New World
bail out
  • to parachute from an aircraft in an emergency
  • to flee a difficult or dangerous situation
Webster's New World

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Bail

Origin of Bail

  • Middle English custody from Old French from baillier to take charge of from Latin bāiulāre to carry a load from bāiulus carrier of a burden

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Middle English baille bucket from Old French from Vulgar Latin bāiula water container from Latin bāiulāre to carry a load

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From the Old French verb bailler (“to deliver or hand over”) and noun bail (“lease”), from Latin bāiulāre, present active infinitive of bāiulō (“carry or bear”).

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English beil perhaps from Old English bēgel or of Scandinavian origin bheug- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Old French dialectal probably from Latin baculum stick bacillus

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Middle English beyl, from Old Norse beygla (“a bend, ring or hoop”).

    From Wiktionary

  • From a shortening of bail out, which from above.

    From Wiktionary

  • From French baillier.

    From Wiktionary

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