jail delivery
Americannoun
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a liberation of persons from prison, especially by force.
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the act of clearing a jail of prisoners by bringing them to trial, as at the assizes in England.
noun
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forcible and illegal liberation of prisoners from jail
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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
Etymology
Origin of jail delivery
late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75
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.
The wholesale jail delivery did not occur until well along into 1915.
From The Iron Heel by Jack London
In March, 1913, Congress enacted an Amnesty bill which would have meant a general jail delivery throughout the Island, and which President Gomez was strongly inclined to sign.
From The History of Cuba, vol. 4 by Willis Fletcher Johnson
Suppose Mrs. Godd could be induced to help in a jail delivery!
From 100%: the Story of a Patriot by Upton Sinclair
There was a general jail delivery of the poor debtors, for very joy.
From Dealings with the Dead, Volume I (of 2) by A Sexton of the Old School
Europe had never before known such a "jail delivery."
From General History for Colleges and High Schools by Philip Van Ness Myers
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