jail delivery
Americannoun
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a liberation of persons from prison, especially by force.
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the act of clearing a jail of prisoners by bringing them to trial, as at the assizes in England.
noun
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forcible and illegal liberation of prisoners from jail
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English law (formerly) a commission issued to assize judges when they come to a circuit town authorizing them to try all prisoners and release those acquitted
Etymology
Origin of jail delivery
late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As the day set for Rebstock’s trial drew near, rumors were heard of a jail delivery.
From The Mountain Divide by Armand Both
"There has been a jail delivery at the prison," he said in answer to the "hello" of the desk-sergeant at the other end of the wire.
From Elusive Isabel by Alonzo Kimball
In March, 1913, Congress enacted an Amnesty bill which would have meant a general jail delivery throughout the Island, and which President Gomez was strongly inclined to sign.
From The History of Cuba, vol. 4 by Willis Fletcher Johnson
Under the old regime, this important power was vested in a single official, and he usually took care to have a general jail delivery in time for the next election.
From The Curious Republic of Gondour, and Other Whimsical Sketches by Mark Twain
Europe had never before known such a "jail delivery."
From General History for Colleges and High Schools by Philip Van Ness Myers
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
