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Glite Dictionary
bailee

bailee

1 9.9
A person or company that holds someone else's things for a short time
  • noun
  • /beɪˈliː/
  • Formal
: depositario
  • A bailee must ensure that the property entrusted to them is kept safe until it is returned.

Examples

  • When you leave your clothes at the dry cleaner, the shop acts as a bailee for your items.

  • "That client can buy bailee coverage for the market price of the car, but what about the plaintiff who had a $10 million lawsuit against a car manufacturer?"

    Academic text (2011)

  • Drafted and negotiated custodial agreements, bailee agreements, and third-party collection agreements.

    Academic text (2009)

  • The bailee is responsible for returning the rented equipment in good condition.

Surface Forms

bailee singular
bailees plural

Morphology

bailee = bail (transparent) = bail + ee

The verb 'bail' plus the receiver suffix '-ee' yields 'bailee' meaning 'the person to whom something is entrusted', which is a predictable and productive formation.

Etymology

Bailee comes from bail (to give something to another to look after) plus the ending -ee that means 'person who receives', as in employee. So a bailee is the person given property to keep and return.