Bailiff
/ˈbeɪ.lɪf/noun
A court officer or local official who enforces orders and manages legal or administrative duties.
Did you know?Bailiff comes through Old French from a Latin root meaning “to carry” or “to bring,” because this officer originally was the one who brought things into custody or carried out official commands.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
baiulare
“to carry a burden; to bear”
Late Latin
Latin
baiulus
“a carrier, porter, bearer”
Old French
Old French
baillif
“an official, administrator, or custodian”
Middle English
English
bailif
“a local officer or royal administrator”
Modern English
English
bailiff
“a court officer or administrative official”