Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Bail \Bail\, n. [OE. beyl; cf. Dan. b["o]ile an bending, ring,
   hoop, Sw. b["o]gel, bygel, and Icel. beyla hump, swelling,
   akin to E. bow to bend.]
   1. The arched handle of a kettle, pail, or similar vessel,
      usually movable. --Forby.

   2. A half hoop for supporting the cover of a carrier's wagon,
      awning of a boat, etc.

Bail \Bail\, n. [F. baille a bucket, pail; cf. LL. bacula, dim.
   of bacca a sort of vessel. Cf. {Bac}.]
   A bucket or scoop used in bailing water out of a boat. [Obs.]

         The bail of a canoe . . . made of a human skull.
                                                  --Capt. Cook.

Bail \Bail\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Bailed} (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Bailing}.]
   1. To lade; to dip and throw; -- usually with out; as, to
      bail water out of a boat.

            Buckets . . . to bail out the water.  --Capt. J.
                                                  Smith.

   2. To dip or lade water from; -- often with out to express
      completeness; as, to bail a boat.

            By the help of a small bucket and our hats we bailed
            her out.                              --R. H. Dana,
                                                  Jr.

Bail \Bail\, n. [OF. bail, baille. See {Bailey}.]
   1. (Usually pl.) A line of palisades serving as an exterior
      defense. [Written also {bayle}.] [Obs.]

   2. The outer wall of a feudal castle. Hence: The space
      inclosed by it; the outer court. --Holinshed.

   3. A certain limit within a forest. [Eng.]

   4. A division for the stalls of an open stable.

   5. (Cricket) The top or cross piece ( or either of the two
      cross pieces) of the wicket.

Bail \Bail\, n. [OF. bail guardian, administrator, fr. L.
   bajulus. See {Bail} to deliver.]
   1. Custody; keeping. [Obs.]

            Silly Faunus now within their bail.   --Spenser.

   2. (Law)
      (a) The person or persons who procure the release of a
          prisoner from the custody of the officer, or from
          imprisonment, by becoming surely for his appearance in
          court.

                The bail must be real, substantial bondsmen.
                                                  --Blackstone.

                A. and B. were bail to the arrest in a suit at
                law.                              --Kent.
      (b) The security given for the appearance of a prisoner in
          order to obtain his release from custody of the
          officer; as, the man is out on bail; to go bail for
          any one.

                Excessive bail ought not to be required.
                                                  --Blackstone.

Bail \Bail\, v.?t. [OF. bailler to give, to deliver, fr. L.
   bajulare to bear a burden, keep in custody, fr. bajulus ? who
   bears burdens.]
   1. To deliver; to release. [Obs.]

            Ne none there was to rescue her, ne none to bail.
                                                  --Spenser.

   2. (Law)
      (a) To set free, or deliver from arrest, or out of
          custody, on the undertaking of some other person or
          persons that he or they will be responsible for the
          appearance, at a certain day and place, of the person
          bailed.

   Note: The word is applied to the magistrate or the surety.
         The magistrate bails (but admits to bail is commoner) a
         man when he liberates him from arrest or imprisonment
         upon bond given with sureties. The surety bails a
         person when he procures his release from arrest by
         giving bond for his appearance. --Blackstone.
      (b) To deliver, as goods in trust, for some special object
          or purpose, upon a contract, expressed or implied,
          that the trust shall be faithfully executed on the
          part of the bailee, or person intrusted; as, to bail
          cloth to a tailor to be made into a garment; to bail
          goods to a carrier. --Blackstone. Kent.

Source : WordNet®

bail
     n 1: (criminal law) money that must be forfeited by the bondsman
          if an accused person fails to appear in court for trial;
          "the judge set bail at $10,000"; "a $10,000 bond was
          furnished by an alderman" [syn: {bail bond}, {bond}]
     2: the legal system that allows an accused person to be
        temporarily released from custody (usually on condition
        that a sum of money guarantees their appearance at trial);
        "he is out on bail"

bail
     v 1: release after a security has been paid
     2: deliver something in trust to somebody for a special purpose
        and for a limited period
     3: secure the release of (someone) by providing security
     4: empty (a vessel) by bailing
     5: remove (water) from a vessel with a container