bailey
noun
the defensive wall surrounding an outer court of a castle.
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bailey
1 American
[bey-lee]
/ ˈbeɪ li /
noun
baileys
plural
-
the defensive wall surrounding an outer court of a castle.
-
the courtyard itself.
Bailey
2
American
[bey-lee]
/ ˈbeɪ li /
noun
-
Liberty Hyde, 1858–1954, U.S. botanist, horticulturist, and writer.
-
Nathan or Nathaniel, died 1742, English lexicographer.
Bailey
1
British
/ ˈbeɪlɪ /
noun
-
David . born 1938, English photographer
-
Nathan or Nathaniel . died 1742, English lexicographer: compiler of An Universal Etymological English Dictionary (1721–27)
bailey
2
British
/ ˈbeɪlɪ /
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
“Gather every man not armed into the inner bailey, where they will be provided with longbows and arrows,” directed Sir Peter.
From "The Door in the Wall" by Marguerite de Angeli
Sansa was allowed ter go riding too, but only in the bailey, and it got boring going round in a circle all day.
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
And Hagen’s horn sounded again from on high, ringing out across the bailey.
From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin
Deepwood’s bailey was soon fixll of frightened people.
From "A Dance with Dragons" 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.
