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

Explanation

A bailey is the sturdy wall around a castle that keeps invaders out. The bailey of a medieval castle was usually built of stone. You might see a bailey — or the remains of one — if you tour a castle in England or France. The word bailey is used both to describe the defensive wall around a castle courtyard, or sometimes the courtyard itself. This type of castle design was especially common in twelfth century England. The word comes from the Old French bail, "stake, palisade, or brace," which may be rooted in the Latin bacula, "sticks."

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

When the portcullis of the outer bailey of the castle was raised to admit the yeomen, the townspeople swarmed in.

From "The Door in the Wall" by Marguerite de Angeli

In the bailey, her men closed about each other, hefting shields and spears.

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

And Hagen’s horn sounded again from on high, ringing out across the bailey.

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

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