Bail

(bāl.) [O. Fr. bailler, to deliver up. ] (Law.) Sureties given for the appearance, when required, of a person on his being set free from custody. The laws of the U. States allow of bail to be given in all civil and criminal cases, except when the punishment may be death, in which case it may be admitted only by the Supreme or Circuit Court. The bond so given by a prisoner to his sureties, is called bail-bond.- (Games.) In cricket, the top piece which cro es the wicket. To bail a boat. (Naut.) To free from water by scooping. [s. 68]