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Glite Dictionary
bailiffship

bailiffship

9.9
The position of a person who keeps order in court and carries out court orders
  • noun
  • /ˈbeɪlɪfˌʃɪp/
  • Specialized
: cargo de alguacil
  • The bailiffship was a prestigious position in the medieval court.

Examples

  • He was proud to accept the bailiffship of the district after years of service.

  • The history books mention his bailiffship as a period of stability and reform.

  • Her grandfather’s bailiffship ended in the year 1890.

  • He aspired to hold the bailiffship one day.

  • He was proud to accept the bailiffship of the district after years of service.

  • Her grandfather’s bailiffship ended in the year 1890.

  • The history books mention his bailiffship as a period of stability and reform.

Surface Forms

bailiffship singular
bailiffships plural

Morphology

bailiffship = bailiff (transparent) = bailiff + ship

Formed by the noun 'bailiff' plus the productive suffix '-ship' meaning 'office or position', so the meaning is directly derived.

Etymology

The word bailiffship comes from bailiff, a person who 'looks after' property or keeps order, and the ending ship, which means 'the state or office of', as in friendship or leadership. So, bailiffship is the 'office' or 'position' of a bailiff.