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plural baileys
1
: the outer wall of a castle or any of several walls surrounding the keep
2
: a courtyard within the external wall or between two outer walls of a castle
Examples of bailey in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Shadow bands, baileys beads, and diamond ring will reappear in opposite order.
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Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2024
Paths and gardens fill the bailey – the courtyard where soldiers may have trained.
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Lauren Beale, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2021
Dan McLaughlin wrote a brilliant piece recently about the Left’s motte-and-bailey tactics regarding the debate around CRT, and Quarshie’s definition is in the very bowels of the motte.
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Luther Ray Abel, National Review, 22 June 2021
Here, instead, were the motte-and-bailey dreams of Brexit, the blood and soil nationalism of soon-to-be President Trump and the majoritarian rage scorching through Indian democracy.
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Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 3 Nov. 2020
But avoid mixers whenever possible — margarita mix, schnapps, baileys, curacao will generally add 10g of carbs per serving.
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Kimberly Mugler, Philly.com, 26 May 2018
Your feudal lord did not have a range of mottes, baileys, bartizans, drawbridges, dungeons, machicolations and turrets to choose from.
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A-LIST, 2 Oct. 2017
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Word History
Etymology
Middle English bailli, palisade, bailey, from Anglo-French baille, balie
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of bailey was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing bailey
Dictionary Entries Near bailey
Cite this Entry
“Bailey.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bailey. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.
Biographical Definition
Bailey
2 of 3biographical name (2)
Nathan or Nathaniel died 1742 English lexicographer
Bailey
3 of 3biographical name (3)
Pearl Mae 1918–1990 American singer
More from Merriam-Webster on bailey
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bailey
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