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Bailiff: meaning, definitions and examples

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bailiff

 

[ ˈbeɪlɪf ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

legal proceedings

A bailiff is an official in a court of law who is responsible for maintaining order and security during the proceedings. They may also be tasked with serving legal documents and overseeing the execution of court orders. Bailiffs often have the authority to remove individuals from the courtroom if necessary.

Synonyms

court officer, law enforcement officer, process server

Examples of usage

  • The bailiff announced the start of the trial.
  • She was escorted out of the courtroom by the bailiff.
  • The bailiff served the eviction notice.

Translations

Translations of the word "bailiff" in other languages:

🇵🇹 oficial de justiça

🇮🇳 न्यायालय के अधीक्षक

🇩🇪 Gerichtsvollzieher

🇮🇩 juru sita

🇺🇦 судовий пристав

🇵🇱 komornik

🇯🇵 執行官

🇫🇷 huissier de justice

🇪🇸 agente judicial

🇹🇷 icra memuru

🇰🇷 법원 집행관

🇸🇦 موظف المحكمة

🇨🇿 soudní vykonavatel

🇸🇰 súdny vykonávateľ

🇨🇳 法警

🇸🇮 sodni izvršitelj

🇮🇸 dómsmálar

🇰🇿 сот орындаушы

🇬🇪 სასამართლო აღმასრულებელი

🇦🇿 icra məmuru

🇲🇽 agente judicial

Word origin

The term 'bailiff' originates from the Old French word 'bailif', which means 'official' or 'overseer'. This, in turn, comes from the Latin 'baiulus', signifying someone who carries or transport goods. Historically, bailiffs served as agents of the lord or sovereign, essentially overseeing the management of estates and ensuring the enforcement of law and order. During the Middle Ages, their role evolved, and they became more associated with court functions, particularly in relation to enforcing court decisions and managing the conduct within the courtroom. Today, the role of a bailiff can vary significantly between jurisdictions, encompassing a range of duties from security to administrative tasks related to judicial functions.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,311, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.