BAILEY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does Bailey mean? 

• BAILEY (noun)
  The noun BAILEY has 4 senses:

1. United States singer (1918-1990)

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

3. the outer courtyard of a castle

4. the outer defensive wall that surrounds the outer courtyard of a castle

  Familiarity information: BAILEY used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• BAILEY (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

United States singer (1918-1990)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

Bailey; Pearl Bailey; Pearl Mae Bailey

Instance hypernyms:

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

Sense 2

Meaning:

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

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

Bailey; Nathan Bailey; Nathaniel Bailey

Instance hypernyms:

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

Sense 3

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 4

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)

 Context examples 

“Do you waltz? If not, Captain Bailey—”

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

I remember then how they mustered in the bailey, even as they do now, and my lady-mother holding me in her arms at this very window that I might see the show.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

All the time he was jerking out these phrases he was stumping up and down the tavern on his crutch, slapping tables with his hand, and giving such a show of excitement as would have convinced an Old Bailey judge or a Bow Street runner.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

Her eyes softened upon him, and a kind answer was on her lips, when a hoarse shout, with the clatter of arms and stamping of steeds, rose up from the bailey below.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I take her sternly from the side of Captain Bailey.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Could we but carry the lady across the bailey, all might be well with us.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Miss Larkins, laughing, draws her hand through my arm, and says, “Now take me back to Captain Bailey.”

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Within five paces of where he lay a narrow and little-used door led out into the bailey.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“To—to Captain Bailey?” I have just enough power to ask.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

They were half-way across the bailey ere the frantic, howling peasants made a movement to stop them.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)