bailiff Hear it!

bailiff definition

bail·iff (bā′lif)

noun

  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 administrative official of a district, with power to collect taxes, serve as a magistrate, etc.
  4. Chiefly Brit. an overseer or steward of an estate

Etymology: ME bailif < OFr bailif < baillier, to govern, keep in custody: see bail

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.