jail delivery

American  

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.

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jail delivery British  

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

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Etymology

Origin of jail delivery

late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75

Example Sentences

For the most of us there is no jail delivery of those inner depths, and the life above goes on to its honourable end.

From The New Machiavelli by Wells, H. G. (Herbert George)

Judges were first appointed to go on circuit in the year 1285, when they were sent into every shire two or three times a year to hold a general jail delivery.

From Cameos from English History, from Rollo to Edward II by Yonge, Charlotte Mary

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

From The Life of Lyman Trumbull by White, Horace

Ruffier, warden of the House of Detention, dreamed there was a jail delivery on, a general effort to escape from the prison was frustrated.

From The Secret of Dreams by Raizizun, Yacki

A jail delivery meant, they knew, that their stores would be looted, and, under the leadership of Atkinson, they attempted to avert the mischief impending.

From The Mountain Divide by Both, Armand