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bail

bail

11 7.5
A container like a bucket used to remove water from a boat
  • noun
  • /beɪl/
translation icon : cubo
  • The pot of pinto beans swung by its bail on an iron rod to the side of the fire.
  • a bail handle

Examples

  • To keep the boat afloat, we need to use a bail to remove the water.

  • We will have to grab a bucket and bail, or drown with him.

    Academic text (2009)
  • IT TAKES A LOT OF WORK, TRYING TO SWIM, HOLD ONTO THE CANOE WITHOUT TIPPING IT, AND BAIL, ALL AT THE SAME TIME.

  • The fisherman used a small bucket as a bail to empty the water from his boat.

  • During the storm, they had to bail out the canoe to prevent it from sinking.

Synonyms

bailer
vsbail
1 4.1

A tool or person who removes water from a boat

is specifically a container used for removing water from a boat or area

Compounds

bail bond
  • Formal
4 6.6

A written promise to pay money if a person accused of a crime does not go to court

How Big

barrel
164 1.0
tub
95 1.0
bail
11 7.5
bucket
207 1.0
scoop
16 2.1

Surface Forms

bail singular
bails plural

Etymology

Bail (container) originally meant a 'bucket' or scoop for water, and is the same word behind the verb that means to remove water. That's why a bail is the tool you use to empty water from a boat.