bailiff

bailiff
\ \ [13] Latin bājulus meant literally ‘carrier’ (it is probably the ultimate source of English bail in some if not all of its uses). It developed the metaphorical meaning ‘person in charge, administrator’, which passed, via the hypothetical medieval adjectival form *bājulīvus, into Old French as baillif, and hence into English.
\ \ Cf.BAIL

Word origins - 2ed. . 2005.

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  • bailiff — bai·liff / bā ləf/ n [Anglo French, steward, king s official, from bail stewardship, custody, handing over see bail]: an officer of some courts in the U.S. whose duties usu. include keeping order in the courtroom and guarding prisoners or jurors… …   Law dictionary

  • Bailiff — Bail iff (b[=a]l [i^]f), n. [OF. baillif, F. bailli, custodian, magistrate, fr. L. bajulus porter. See {Bail} to deliver.] [1913 Webster] 1. Originally, a person put in charge of something; especially, a chief officer, magistrate, or keeper, as… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • bailiff — bai‧liff [ˈbeɪlɪf] noun [countable] LAW 1. an official of the legal system who has the right to take the goods or property of a person or organization in debt, in order to pay off the debts: • If the fines remain unpaid, bailiffs can enter your… …   Financial and business terms

  • Bailiff — (engl., spr. bēlif), s. Bailli …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • Bailiff — (engl., spr. behliff), eigentlich Geschäftsträger; am gebräuchlichsten für den mit der Zwangsvollstreckung gerichtlicher Urteile betrauten Beamten …   Kleines Konversations-Lexikon

  • bailiff — A person, appointed under provincial legislation, who will act or assist any other person to repossess, cease or distrain pursuant to conditions set out in various Acts (Ontario Bankruptcy Dictionary) A person who, in British Columbia, is… …   Glossary of Bankruptcy

  • bailiff — mid 13c., from O.Fr. baillif (12c., nom. baillis) administrative official, deputy, from V.L. *bajulivus official in charge of a castle, from L. bajulus porter, of unknown origin. Used in M.E. of a public administrator of a district, a chief… …   Etymology dictionary

  • bailiff — ► NOUN 1) chiefly Brit. a sheriff s officer who serves writs, seizes property to clear rent arrears, and carries out arrests. 2) Brit. the agent of a landlord. ORIGIN Old French baillif, from Latin bajulus carrier, manager …   English terms dictionary

  • bailiff — [bā′lif] n. [ME bailif < OFr bailif < baillier, to govern, keep in custody: see BAIL1] 1. a deputy sheriff who serves processes, etc. 2. a court officer who guards the jurors, maintains order in the courtroom, etc. 3. in England, an… …   English World dictionary

  • Bailiff — Not to be confused with Baillie. For Farm bailiff, see Estate agent. A bailiff (from Late Latin baiulivus, adjectival form of baiulus) is a governor or custodian (cf. bail); a legal officer to whom some degree of authority, care or jurisdiction… …   Wikipedia

  • bailiff — noun 1 (BrE) law officer who serves writs, seizes property, etc. ADJECTIVE ▪ court ▪ private VERB + BAILIFF ▪ send in ▪ Their landlord has threatened to send in the bailiffs if they don t pay their rent …   Collocations dictionary

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