bail

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
bail1

▶noun

• 1 the temporary release of an accused person awaiting trial, sometimes on condition that a sum of money is lodged to guarantee their appearance in court.

• 2 money paid by or for such a person as security.

▶verb release or secure the release of (an accused person) on payment of bail.

– phrases
go (or stand) bail act as surety for an accused person.
jump bail informal fail to appear for trial after being released on bail.

– derivatives
bailable adjective.

– origin ME: from OFr., lit. ‘custody, jurisdiction’, from bailler ‘take charge of’, from L. bajulare ‘bear a burden’.

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
bail2

▶noun

• 1 (usu. bails) Cricket either of the two crosspieces bridging the stumps.

• 2 a bar on a typewriter or computer printer which holds the paper steady.

• 3 a bar separating horses in an open stable.

• 4 Austral./NZ a movable framework for securing the head of a cow during milking.

▶verb (often bail someone/thing up) Austral./NZ

• 1 confront (someone) with intent to rob.

  ■ detain in conversation.

• 2 secure (a cow) during milking.

– origin ME (denoting a bailey): from OFr. baile ‘palisade, enclosure’, baillier ‘enclose’.

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
bail3 (Brit. also bale)

▶verb

• 1 scoop water out of (a ship or boat).

• 2 (bail out) make an emergency parachute descent from an aircraft.

• 3 (bail someone/thing out) rescue someone or something from a difficulty.

– derivatives
bailer noun.

– origin C17: from obs. bail ‘bucket’, from Fr. baille, based on L. bajulus ‘carrier’.