US /ˈbeɪlɪf/ UK /ˈbeɪlɪf/
noun

Meanings

  1. 1
    noun

    an official who maintains order in a court or executes legal writs

    The bailiff escorted the unruly defendant from the courtroom.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 noun · an official who maintains... officersheriffstewardmarshalconstable
Word family
Derived forms bailiwick
Related forms bailbailie

Etymology

From Middle English baillif, from Old French baillif ('administrator, steward'), from Late Latin baiulivus, from Latin baiulus ('carrier, manager').

View etymology graph ->

Topics

markdown

Send feedback

Optional — only if you'd like a reply.