bailey

¹ American  

[bey-lee] / ˈbeɪ li /

noun

plural

baileys

1. the defensive wall surrounding an outer court of a castle.

2. the courtyard itself.

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Bailey ² American  

[bey-lee] / ˈbeɪ li /

noun

1. Liberty Hyde, 1858–1954, U.S. botanist, horticulturist, and writer.

2. Nathan or Nathaniel, died 1742, English lexicographer.

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Bailey ¹ British  

/ ˈbeɪlɪ /

noun

1. David . born 1938, English photographer

2. Nathan or Nathaniel . died 1742, English lexicographer: compiler of An Universal Etymological English Dictionary (1721–27)

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bailey ² British  

/ ˈbeɪlɪ /

noun

1. the outermost wall or court of a castle

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Etymology

Origin of bailey

1250–1300; Middle English, variant of bail ⁴

Example Sentences

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

And Hagen’s horn sounded again from on high, ringing out across the bailey.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

In the bailey, her men closed about each other, hefting shields and spears.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

When she returned to the lower bailey, Ser Brynden 'Hilly stood on the water stairs with wet boots, talking with the captain of Riverrun's guards.

From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin

They went together unanimously though shyly, without explanations, and found themselves standing at the end of Hob’s bailey strip after Mass. The Wart had no need to use ingenuity.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White