First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
bailiff
noun bai·liff \ˈbā-ləf\
: an officer in a court of law who helps the judge control the people in the courtroom
: someone hired by a sheriff to bring legal documents to people and to take away possessions when people cannot pay for them
: someone who manages the land and property of another person
Full Definition of BAILIFF
1
a : an official employed by a British sheriff to serve writs and make arrests and executions b : a minor officer of some United States courts usually serving as a messenger or usher
2
chiefly British : one who manages an estate or farm
— bai·liff·ship \-ˌship\ noun
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Origin of BAILIFF
Middle English baillif, bailie, from Anglo-French baillif, from bail power, authority, office, from baillier to govern, administer, from Medieval Latin bajulare to care for, support, from Latin, to carry a burden — more at bail
Rhymes with BAILIFF
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