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.

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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.

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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)

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bailey ² British  

/ ˈbeɪlɪ /

noun

1. the outermost wall or court of a castle

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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

The children marveled at the great, wide bailey, where horses were being led to stables.

From "The Inquisitor's Tale" by Adam Gidwitz

They went together unanimously though shyly, without explanations, and found themselves standing at the end of Hob’s bailey strip after Mass. The Wart had no need to use ingenuity.

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

In the bailey, she found Qarl the Maid waiting with her chestnut mare, her warhelm, and her throwing axes.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

Two mules were waiting in the upper bailey, saddled and ready.

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