bailey
1 Americannoun
plural
baileys-
the defensive wall surrounding an outer court of a castle.
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the courtyard itself.
noun
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Liberty Hyde, 1858–1954, U.S. botanist, horticulturist, and writer.
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Nathan or Nathaniel, died 1742, English lexicographer.
noun
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David . born 1938, English photographer
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Nathan or Nathaniel . died 1742, English lexicographer: compiler of An Universal Etymological English Dictionary (1721–27)
noun
Etymology
Origin of bailey
1250–1300; Middle English, variant of bail 4
Explanation
A bailey is the sturdy wall around a castle that keeps invaders out. The bailey of a medieval castle was usually built of stone. You might see a bailey — or the remains of one — if you tour a castle in England or France. The word bailey is used both to describe the defensive wall around a castle courtyard, or sometimes the courtyard itself. This type of castle design was especially common in twelfth century England. The word comes from the Old French bail, "stake, palisade, or brace," which may be rooted in the Latin bacula, "sticks."
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.
Garbis Chekerdjian, a real-estate developer and construction-company owner from Lebanon, sat with his wife, Sonia, and several compatriots at one of the tables on the castle’s bailey.
From The New Yorker • Sep. 21, 2015
They set off across die bailey, Bronn matching his long stride to lyrion's short one.
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
When her head reached ground level, she peered across the bailey to the Tower of the Hand.
From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin
He conducted her to the lower bailey, where a crowd had gathered around the archery butts.
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
The library was across the bailey, there was no way the fire would reach them here.
From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
