Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Bail
Bail
(bāl)
, Noun.
 A bucket or scoop used in bailing water out of a boat. 
[Obs.] 
The 
 bail 
of a canoe . . . made of a human skull. Capt. Cook.
Bail
,Verb.
 T.
 [
imp. & p. p. 
Bailed 
(bāld)
; p. pr. & vb. n. 
Bailing
.] 1. 
To lade; to dip and throw; – usually with out; 
as, to 
. bail 
water out of a boatBuckets . . . to 
bail 
out the water. Capt. J. Smith.
2. 
To dip or lade water from; – often with out to express completeness; 
as, to 
. bail 
a boatBy the help of a small bucket and our hats we 
 bailed 
her out. R. H. Dana, Jr.
Bail
,Verb.
 T.
 [OF. 
bailler 
to give, to deliver, fr. L. bajulare 
to bear a burden, keep in custody, fr. bajulus 
he who bears burdens.] 1. 
To deliver; to release. 
[Obs.] 
Ne none there was to rescue her, ne none to 
bail
. Spenser.
2. 
(Law) 
(a) 
To set free, or deliver from arrest, or out of custody, on the undertaking of some other person or persons that he or they will be responsible for the appearance, at a certain day and place, of the person bailed. 
☞ The word is applied to the magistrate or the surety. The magistrate bails (but admits to bail is commoner) a man when he liberates him from arrest or imprisonment upon bond given with sureties. The surety bails a person when he procures his release from arrest by giving bond for his appearance. 
Blackstone.
 (b) 
To deliver, as goods in trust, for some special object or purpose, upon a contract, expressed or implied, that the trust shall be faithfully executed on the part of the bailee, or person intrusted; 
as, to 
. bail 
cloth to a tailor to be made into a garment; to bail 
goods to a carrierBlackstone. Kent.
 1. 
Custody; keeping. 
[Obs.] 
Silly Faunus now within their 
bail
. Spenser.
2. 
(Law) 
(a) 
The person or persons who procure the release of a prisoner from the custody of the officer, or from imprisonment, by becoming surety for his appearance in court. 
The 
bail 
must be real, substantial bondsmen. Blackstone.
A. and B. were 
bail 
to the arrest in a suit at law. Kent.
(b) 
The security given for the appearance of a prisoner in order to obtain his release from custody of the officer; 
as, the man is out on 
. bail
; to go bail 
for any oneExcessive 
 bail 
ought not to be required. Blackstone.
Bail
,Noun.
 [OE. 
beyl
; cf. Dan. böile 
a bending, ring, hoop, Sw. bögel
, bygel
, and Icel. beyla 
hump, swelling, akin to E. bow 
to bend.] 1. 
The arched handle of a kettle, pail, or similar vessel, usually movable. 
Forby.
 2. 
A half hoop for supporting the cover of a carrier’s wagon, awning of a boat, etc. 
 1. 
(Usually pl.
) A line of palisades serving as an exterior defense. 
[Written also 
bayle
.] [Obs.] 
2. 
The outer wall of a feudal castle. Hence: The space inclosed by it; the outer court. 
Holinshed.
 3. 
A certain limit within a forest. 
[Eng.] 
4. 
A division for the stalls of an open stable. 
5. 
(Cricket) 
The top or cross piece (or either of the two cross pieces) of the wicket. 
Webster 1828 Edition
Bail
BAIL
, v.t.1.
  To set free, deliver, or liberate from arrest and imprisonment, upon security given that the person bailed shall appear and answer in court.  The word is applied to the magistrate, or the surety.  The magistrate bails a man, when he liberates him from arrest or imprisonment, upon bond given with sureties.  The surety bails a person, when he procures his release from arrest, by giving bond for his appearance.2.
  To deliver goods in trust, upon a contract, expressed or implied, that the trust shall be faithfully executed on the part of the bailee or person entrusted; as, to bail cloth to a tailor to be made into a garment, or to bail goods to a carrier.3.
  To free from water, as to bail a boat.  This word is improperly written bale.  The word is probably the same as bail in law, to free, or liberate, and signifies to throw out water, as with a bucket or shovel.