bail

Where does the word "bail" come from? It comes from Latin bajulare, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Bail’s story begins in Latin: bajulare meant “to bear a burden.” The root of 'bailiff', a custodian. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as bail. Carried into French for custody, or the guarantee securing release. It reached English by 1300s as bail. Settled as the English word for money guaranteeing a defendant's release. Today, bail means a sum of money paid to secure a defendant's temporary release before trial.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient bajulare "to bear a burden", the root of 'bailiff', a custodian.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval bail "custody, or a guarantee for release", carried into French for custody, or the guarantee securing release.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s bail "money paid to secure a defendant's temporary release", settled as the English word for money guaranteeing a defendant's release.