bails

1. Security, usually a sum of money, exchanged for the release of an arrested person as a guarantee of that person's appearance for trial.
2. Release from imprisonment on payment of such money.
3. The person providing such payment.
4. A bucket or scoop used for removing water from a boat etc.
5. A person who bails water out of a boat.
6. Custody; keeping.

1. To secure the release of an arrested person by providing bail.
2. To release a person under such guarantee.
3. To hand over personal property to be held temporarily by another as a bailment.

   to bail cloth to a tailor to be made into a garment; to bail goods to a carrier

4. To remove (water) from a boat by scooping it out.

   to bail water out of a boat

5. To remove water from (a boat) by scooping it out.

   to bail a boat

6. To set free; to deliver; to release.

1. To exit quickly.

   With his engine in flames, the pilot had no choice but to bail.

2. To fail to meet a commitment.

1. A hoop, ring or handle (especially of a kettle or bucket).
2. A stall for a cow (or other animal) (usually tethered with a semi-circular hoop).
3. A hinged bar as a restraint for animals, or on a typewriter.
4. A frame to restrain a cow during milking or feeding.
5. A hoop, ring, or other object used to connect a pendant to a necklace.
6. One of the two wooden crosspieces that rest on top of the stumps to form a wicket.
7. (furniture) Normally curved handle suspended between sockets as a drawer pull. This may also be on a kettle or pail.

verb

To secure the head of a cow during milking.

1. To confine.
2. To secure (a cow) by placing its head in a bail for milking.
3. To keep (a traveller) detained in order to rob them; to corner (a wild animal); loosely, to detain, hold up. (Usually with up.)