Bail"iff (&?;), n. [OF. baillif, F.
bailli, custodian, magistrate, fr. L. bajulus porter. See
Bail to deliver.]
1. Originally, a person put in charge of something;
especially, a chief officer, magistrate, or keeper, as of a county, town,
hundred, or castle; one to whom powers of custody or care are
intrusted. Abbott.
Lausanne is under the canton of Berne, governed by a
bailiff sent every three years from the senate.
Addison.
2. (Eng. Law) A sheriff's deputy, appointed
to make arrests, collect fines, summon juries, etc.
&fist; In American law the term bailiff is seldom used except
sometimes to signify a sheriff's officer or constable, or a party liable to
account to another for the rent and profits of real estate.
Burrill.
3. An overseer or under steward of an estate, who
directs husbandry operations, collects rents, etc. [Eng.]
