Bāil'iff, n.

n. [O. Fr. baillif, now bailli, Pr. baillieu, It. balivo, L. Lat. baillius, ballivus, bajulus, a porter, tutor, magistrate, O. Fr. baillir, Pr. bailir, It. balire, to govern, O. Fr. baillie, government, Pr. & Sp. bailia, It. baliu. See BAIL, v. t.]

1Sense 1. (Eng. Law.) A sheriff’s deputy, appointed to make arrests, collect fines, summon juries, &c.

☞ 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 rents and profits of real estate; as in some cases a tenant in common who receives more than his share. Burrill. New Am. Cyc.

2Sense 2. An overseer or under-steward on an estate, appointed to direct husbandry operations, collect rents, &c. [Eng.]

3Sense 3. An inferior officer intrusted with the government of a city, &c.

Lausanne is under the canton of Berne, governed by a bailiff sent every three years from the senate of Berne. Addison.