bailey

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: Bai=ley

CIDE DICTIONARY

bailey, n. [The same word as bail line of palisades; cf. LL. ballium bailey, OF. bail, baille, a palisade, baillier to inclose, shut.].

•  The outer wall of a feudal castle.  [1913 Webster]
•  The space immediately within the outer wall of a castle or fortress.  [1913 Webster]
•  A prison or court of justice; -- used in certain proper names; as, the Old Bailey in London; the New Bailey in Manchester.  Oxf. Gloss.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

bailey, n. (pl. -eys)
1 the outer wall of a castle.
2 a court enclosed by it.

Etymology

ME, var. of BAIL(2)