bailey

¹ American  

[bey-lee] / ˈbeɪ li /

noun

plural

baileys

1. the defensive wall surrounding an outer court of a castle.

2. the courtyard itself.

---

Bailey ² American  

[bey-lee] / ˈbeɪ li /

noun

1. Liberty Hyde, 1858–1954, U.S. botanist, horticulturist, and writer.

2. Nathan or Nathaniel, died 1742, English lexicographer.

---

Bailey ¹ British  

/ ˈbeɪlɪ /

noun

1. David . born 1938, English photographer

2. Nathan or Nathaniel . died 1742, English lexicographer: compiler of An Universal Etymological English Dictionary (1721–27)

---

bailey ² British  

/ ˈbeɪlɪ /

noun

1. the outermost wall or court of a castle

---

Etymology

Origin of bailey

1250–1300; Middle English, variant of bail ⁴

Example Sentences

Garbis Chekerdjian, a real-estate developer and construction-company owner from Lebanon, sat with his wife, Sonia, and several compatriots at one of the tables on the castle’s bailey.

From The New Yorker • Sep. 21, 2015

Pump boys were feverishly bringing water to the great tubs —it was one of those futile castles, which appear to have originated in Ireland, whose bailey was without a well.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

His sword went flying, his pony cantered away across the bailey, and a great gale of derision went up.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin

The Red Keep was dark and still as Cayn and Tomard escorted him across the inner bailey.

From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin

They set off across die bailey, Bronn matching his long stride to lyrion's short one.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin