bail

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[edit] English

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A bail (def 5)

[edit] Pronunciation

[edit] Etymology 1

From the Old French verb bailler (to deliver or hand over) and noun bail (lease), from Latin bajulare (to carry or bear).

[edit] Noun

Singular
bail

Plural
bails

bail (plural bails)

  1. (law) Security, usually a sum of money, exchanged for the release of an arrested person as a guarantee of that person's appearance for trial.
  2. (law) Release from imprisonment on payment of such money.
  3. (law) The person providing such payment.
  4. (cricket) One of the two wooden crosspieces that rest on top of the stumps to form a wicket.
  5. A bucket or scoop used for removing water from a boat etc.
  6. (furniture) Normally curved handle suspended between sockets as a drawer pull.
[edit] Derived terms
[edit] Translations

[edit] Verb

Infinitive
to bail

Third person singular
bails

Simple past
bailed

Past participle
bailed

Present participle
bailing

to bail (third-person singular simple present bails, present participle bailing, simple past and past participle bailed)

  1. (law) To secure the release of an arrested person by providing bail.
  2. (law) To release a person under such guarantee.
  3. To set free.
  4. (law) To hand over personal property to be held temporarily by another as a bailment.
  5. (nautical) To remove water from a boat by scooping it out.
[edit] Derived terms

(to hand over property to be held by another):

(to set free):

[edit] Translations

[edit] Etymology 2

by shortening from bail out, which comes from etymology 1

[edit] Verb

Infinitive
to bail

Third person singular
bails

Simple past
bailed

Past participle
bailed

Present participle
bailing

to bail (third-person singular simple present bails, present participle bailing, simple past and past participle bailed)

  1. (slang) To exit quickly.
    With his engine in flames, the pilot had no choice but to bail out.
  2. (slang): To not attend.
    I'm going to bail on this afternoon's meeting.

[edit] Etymology 3

From Middle English beyl and Old Norse beygla, a bend, ring or hoop.

[edit] Noun

Singular
bail

Plural
bails

bail (plural bails)

  1. A hoop, ring or handle (especially of a kettle or bucket)
  2. A stall for a cow (or other animal) (usually tethered with a semi-circular hoop).
  3. A hinged bar as a restraint for animals, or on a typewriter.
  4. (mainly Australia & New Zealand) A frame to restrain a cow during outdoor milking.

[edit] Verb

Infinitive
to bail

Third person singular
bails

Simple past
bailed

Past participle
bailed

Present participle
bailing

to bail (third-person singular simple present bails, present participle bailing, simple past and past participle bailed)

  1. To secure the head of a cow during milking.
[edit] Usage notes

Some of these senses, especially the hinged bar, are also claimed via Etymology 1

[edit] Anagrams



[edit] Irish

[edit] Etymology

From Old Irish bal.

[edit] Pronunciation

  • IPA: /bˠalʲ/

[edit] Noun

bail f.

  1. prosperity
  2. proper condition, order

[edit] Declension

Second declension

Bare forms (no plural form of this noun)

Case Singular
Nominative bail
Vocative a bhail
Genitive baile
Dative bail

Forms with the definite article

Case Singular
Nominative an bhail
Genitive na baile
Dative leis an mbail

don bhail