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

BAIL is a 4 letter word that starts with B.

1. \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.
   

2. \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.
   

3. \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.
   

4. \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.
   

5. \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.
   

6. \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.