bail

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the legal system that allows an accused person to be temporarily released from custody usually on condition that a sum of money guarantees their appearance at trial

   They let you out on bail.

2. 2
   noun

   (criminal law) money that must be forfeited by the bondsman if an accused person fails to appear in court for trial

   the judge set bail at $10,000

3. 3
   verb

   to remove water from a vessel with a container

   We bailed frantically to prevent the rowboat from sinking.

4. 4
   verb

   to empty of water, typically with a bucket

   We need to bail out this canoe before we sink.

5. 5
   verb

   to secure the release of someone by providing security

   I bailed them out after I got a call from the county jail.

6. 6
   verb

   to deliver something in trust to somebody for a special purpose and for a limited period

   We bailed some goods.

7. 7
   verb

   to release after a security has been paid

   We bailed out our troubled sibling.

8. 8
   noun

   Security, usually a sum of money, exchanged for the release of an arrested person as a guarantee of that person's appearance for trial.

   He was granted bail for £20000.

Etymology

From Middle English baille, from the Old French verb bailler (“to deliver or hand over”) and noun bail (“lease”), from Latin bāiulāre (“carry or bear”), from baiulus (“porter; steward”) (English: bailiff).