Library / English Dictionary

BAILEY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

The outer defensive wall that surrounds the outer courtyard of a castle

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("bailey" is a kind of...):

bulwark; rampart; wall (an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The outer courtyard of a castle

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("bailey" is a kind of...):

court; courtyard (an area wholly or partly surrounded by walls or buildings)

Sense 3

Meaning:

English lexicographer who was the first to treat etymology consistently; his work was used as a reference by Samuel Johnson (died in 1742)

Synonyms:

Bailey; Nathan Bailey; Nathaniel Bailey

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Instance hypernyms:

lexicographer; lexicologist (a compiler or writer of a dictionary; a student of the lexical component of language)

Sense 4

Meaning:

United States singer (1918-1990)

Synonyms:

Bailey; Pearl Bailey; Pearl Mae Bailey

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Instance hypernyms:

singer; vocaliser; vocalist; vocalizer (a person who sings)

Credits

 Context examples: 

They have the castle, though I know not how it hath come to pass. Look from this window into the bailey.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Beneath and around them blazed the huge fire, roaring and crackling on every side of the bailey, and even as they looked the two corner turrets fell in with a deafening crash, and the whole castle was but a shapeless mass, spouting flames and smoke from every window and embrasure.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Loud shrieked the brazen bugles from keep and from gateway, and merry was the rattle of the war-drum, as the men gathered in the outer bailey, with torches to light them, for the morn had not yet broken.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Black was the mouth of Twynham Castle, though a pair of torches burning at the further end of the gateway cast a red glare over the outer bailey, and sent a dim, ruddy flicker through the rough-hewn arch, rising and falling with fitful brightness.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

After a hearty meal and a dip in the trough to wash the dust from them, they strolled forth into the bailey, where the bowman peered about through the darkness at wall and at keep, with the carping eyes of one who has seen something of sieges, and is not likely to be satisfied.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

By Saint Paul! said Sir Nigel, I do not think that there can be any such doings at Christchurch, and I am very easy of the fortalice so long as my sweet wife hangs the key of the outer bailey at the head of her bed.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)