Word origins - 2ed. J. Ayto. 2005.
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
