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.

noun. Release from imprisonment provided by the payment of such money.

noun. A person who provides this security.

transitive verb. To secure the release of by providing security.

transitive verb. To release (a person) for whom security has been paid.

transitive verb. To extricate from a difficult situation.

idiom. (jump/skip) To fail to appear in court and so forfeit one's bail.

idiom. (make bail) To secure enough money or property to pay the amount of one's bail.

intransitive verb. To remove (water) from a boat by repeatedly filling a container and emptying it over the side.

intransitive verb. To empty (a boat) of water by bailing.

intransitive verb. To empty a boat of water by bailing.

intransitive verb. To parachute from an aircraft; eject. Often used with out.

intransitive verb. To abandon a project or enterprise. Often used with out.

noun. A container used for emptying water from a boat.

noun. The arched hooplike handle of a container, such as a pail.

noun. An arch or hoop, such as one of those used to support the top of a covered wagon.

noun. A hinged bar on a typewriter that holds the paper against the platen.

noun. The pivoting U-shaped part of a fishing reel that guides the line onto the spool during rewinding.

noun. A small loop, usually of metal, attached to a pendant to enable it to be strung on a necklace or bracelet.

noun. A pole or bar used to confine or separate animals.

noun. One of the two crossbars that form the top of a wicket used in the game of cricket.

noun. A bar; a cross-bar.

noun. In cricket, one of the two little bars or sticks, about 4 inches long, which are laid on the tops of the stumps, one end resting in the groove of one stump, and the other in that of the next.

noun. A bar or pole to separate horses in a stable.

noun. A framework for securing the head of a cow while she is being milked.

noun. [The earliest use in E.] Milit.: plural The outer wall or line of defenses, originally often made of stakes; barriers; palisades. See palisade. Hence— The space inclosed by the outer wall; the outer court of a castle or a fortified post: in this sense usually called bailey. See bailey.

noun. A certain limit in a forest.

To bar in; confine.

To provide with a bail.

noun. In Canadian law, a demise of realty.

noun. In practice, the formal entering of fictitious bail when special bail is not required. It is intended merely to express the appearance of a defendant.

noun. A hoop or ring; a piece of wood, metal, or other material bent into the form of a circle or half-circle, as a hoop for supporting the tilt of a boat, the cover of a wagon or cradle, etc. Specifically The hoop forming the handle of a kettle or bucket.

noun. One of the iron yokes which serve to suspend a lifecar from the hawser on which it runs.

noun. A stout iron yoke placed over heavy guns and fitting closely over the ends of the trunnions, to which it is attached by pins in the axis of the trunnions: used to raise the gun by means of the gin.

noun. An arched support of a millstone.

noun. A wooden canopy formed of bows.

In law: To deliver, as goods, without transference of ownership, on an agreement, expressed or implied, that they shall be returned or accounted for. See bailment.

To set free, deliver, or liberate from arrest and imprisonment, upon security given that the person bailed shall appear and answer in court or satisfy the judgment given: applied to the action of the magistrate or the surety.

Figuratively, to release; liberate.

To be security for; secure; protect.

To halt or surrender when “bailed up” or “held up” by a highway-man.

To provide with a bail; hoop.

noun. Power; custody; jurisdiction.

noun. The keeping of a person in nominal custody on security that he shall appear in court at a specified time.

noun. Security given to obtain the release of a prisoner from custody, pending final decision in the action against him.

noun. Figuratively, security; guaranty.

noun. Liberation on bail: as, to grant bail.

noun. The person or persons who provide bail, and thus obtain the temporary release of a prisoner.

noun. [Bail, being an abstract noun applicable to persons only by ellipsis, is not used in the plural.]

noun. To vouch (for a thing): as, I'll go bail for that.