jail delivery

noun

1. a liberation of persons from prison, especially by force.

2. the act of clearing a jail of prisoners by bringing them to trial, as at the assizes in England.

jail delivery

noun

1. forcible and illegal liberation of prisoners from jail

2. 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of jail delivery¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75

Example Sentences

Of course there were formalities,—the Sister Lydia described innumerable ones,—jail delivery was nothing to it, but surely five-and-thirty minutes would suffice to sign a score of documents.

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There was a general jail delivery of the poor debtors, for very joy.

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Oshkosh and a number of Menominee headmen went at once to Milwaukee, upon learning of the jail delivery, and laid their complaints before the judge.

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It was opposed vigorously by Wilson, of Massachusetts, who called it a general jail delivery for the benefit of traitors.

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Shortly afterwards a jail delivery enabled him to leave prison.

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