Bail \Bail\, n. [OE. beyl; cf. Dan. b["o]ile an bending, ring, hoop, Sw. b["o]gel, bygel, and Icel. beyla hump, swelling, akin to E. bow to bend.]

1. The arched handle of a kettle, pail, or similar vessel, usually movable. --Forby.

2. A half hoop for supporting the cover of a carrier's wagon, awning of a boat, etc.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Bail \Bail\, n. [F. baille a bucket, pail; cf. LL. bacula, dim. of bacca a sort of vessel. Cf. Bac.]

A bucket or scoop used in bailing water out of a boat. [Obs.]

The bail of a canoe . . . made of a human skull. --Capt. Cook.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Bail \Bail\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bailed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Bailing.]

1. To lade; to dip and throw; -- usually with out; as, to bail water out of a boat.

Buckets . . . to bail out the water. --Capt. J. Smith.

2. To dip or lade water from; -- often with out to express completeness; as, to bail a boat.

By the help of a small bucket and our hats we bailed her out. --R. H. Dana, Jr.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Bail \Bail\, n. [OF. bail, baille. See Bailey.]

1. (Usually pl.) A line of palisades serving as an exterior defense. [Written also bayle.]

[Obs.]

2. The outer wall of a feudal castle. Hence: The space inclosed by it; the outer court. --Holinshed.

3. A certain limit within a forest. [Eng.]

4. A division for the stalls of an open stable.

5. (Cricket) The top or cross piece ( or either of the two cross pieces) of the wicket.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Bail \Bail\, n. [OF. bail guardian, administrator, fr. L. bajulus. See Bail to deliver.]

1. Custody; keeping. [Obs.]

Silly Faunus now within their bail. --Spenser.

2. (Law)
   (a) The person or persons who procure the release of a prisoner from the custody of the officer, or from imprisonment, by becoming surely for his appearance in court.

The bail must be real, substantial bondsmen. --Blackstone.

A. and B. were bail to the arrest in a suit at law. --Kent.
   (b) The security given for the appearance of a prisoner in order to obtain his release from custody of the officer; as, the man is out on bail; to go bail for any one.

Excessive bail ought not to be required. --Blackstone.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Bail \Bail\, v.?t. [OF. bailler to give, to deliver, fr. L. bajulare to bear a burden, keep in custody, fr. bajulus ? who bears burdens.]

1. To deliver; to release. [Obs.]

Ne none there was to rescue her, ne none to bail. --Spenser.

2. (Law)
   (a) To set free, or deliver from arrest, or out of custody, on the undertaking of some other person or persons that he or they will be responsible for the appearance, at a certain day and place, of the person bailed.

Note: The word is applied to the magistrate or the surety. The magistrate bails (but admits to bail is commoner) a man when he liberates him from arrest or imprisonment upon bond given with sureties. The surety bails a person when he procures his release from arrest by giving bond for his appearance. --Blackstone.
   (b) To deliver, as goods in trust, for some special object or purpose, upon a contract, expressed or implied, that the trust shall be faithfully executed on the part of the bailee, or person intrusted; as, to bail cloth to a tailor to be made into a garment; to bail goods to a carrier. --Blackstone. Kent.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)