bailey
[ bey-lee ]
/ ˈbeɪ li /
|
noun, plural bai·leys.
the defensive wall surrounding an outer court of a castle.
the courtyard itself.
Nearby words
bail out, bail up, bailable, baile átha cliath, bailee, bailey, bailey bridge, bailey, liberty hyde, bailie, bailiff, bailiwick
Also ballium.
Origin of bailey
Definition for bailey (2 of 2)
Bailey
[ bey-lee ]
/ ˈbeɪ li /
noun
Liberty Hyde,1858–1954, U.S. botanist, horticulturist, and writer.
Nathan or Nathaniel,died 1742, English lexicographer.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for bailey
British Dictionary definitions for bailey (1 of 2)
bailey
/ (ˈbeɪlɪ) /
noun
the outermost wall or court of a castle
Word Origin for bailey
C13: from Old French baille enclosed court, from bailler to enclose; see bail ³
British Dictionary definitions for bailey (2 of 2)
Bailey
/ (ˈbeɪlɪ) /
noun
David . born 1938, English photographer
Nathan or Nathaniel . died 1742, English lexicographer: compiler of An Universal Etymological English Dictionary (1721–27)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for bailey
bailey
"wall enclosing an outer court," early 14c. (c.1200 in Anglo-Latin), baylle, variant of bail, from Old French bail "stake, palisade, brace," of unknown origin, perhaps ultimately connected to Latin bacula "sticks," on notion of "stakes, palisade fence." Old Bailey, seat of Central Criminal Court in London, was so called because it stood within the ancient bailey of the city wall. The surname Bailey usually is from Old French bailli, a later form of baillif (see bailiff).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper