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bailey - 6 dictionary results

bai⋅ley

[bey-lee]
–noun, plural -leys.
1. the defensive wall surrounding an outer court of a castle.
2. the courtyard itself.
Also, ballium.


Origin:
1250–1300; ME, var. of bail 4

Bai⋅ley

[bey-lee]
–noun
1. Liberty Hyde, 1858–1954, U.S. botanist, horticulturist, and writer.
2. Nathan or Nathaniel, died 1742, English lexicographer.
bai·ley   (bā'lē)   
n.   pl. bai·leys
  1. The outer wall of a castle.
  2. The space enclosed by this outer wall.

[Middle English bailli, from Old French baille, probably from Latin bacula, pl. of baculum, log, stick; see bacillus.]
Bai·ley   (bā'lē)   
British lexicographer whose Universal Etymological English Dictionary, first published in 1721, was used as a reference by Samuel Johnson and was the first English dictionary to treat etymology consistently.

Bailey

Bai"ley\, n. [The same word as bail line of palisades; cf. LL. ballium bailey, OF. bail, baille, a palisade, baillier to inclose, shut.]

1. The outer wall of a feudal castle. [Obs.]

2. The space immediately within the outer wall of a castle or fortress. [Obs.]

3. A prison or court of justice; -- used in certain proper names; as, the Old Bailey in London; the New Bailey in Manchester. [Eng.] --Oxf. Gloss.

bailey 
"wall enclosing an outer court," 1300, baylle, of unknown origin, perhaps ultimately connected to L. bacula "sticks," on notion of "stakes, palisade fence." Old Bailey, seat of Central Criminal Court in London, was so called because it stood within the ancient bailey of the city wall. The surname Bailey usually is from O.Fr. bailli, a later form of baillif (q.v.).
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