bail

Scoop water out

The spelling b-a-i-l represents four different words in English with diverse meanings and parts of speech.

The most common bail is the one associated with the criminal justice system, whereby money is bonded to ensure an arrestee’s later court appearance: He’s going to post bail.

Bail is also a verb for removing water from a boat, which you can do with a pail that features a bail (a semicircular handle).

The meaning associated with removing water leads to the sense of abandoning something: My buddy bailed on me when I needed his help.

Less frequent meanings have to do with metal hoops, cricket, and keeping animals separated from each other.

legal

bond

Binding tie or connection

suretyBacker of obligation
collateralSecurity for debt
bondsmanOne who posts bail

defendant · court · hearing · arraignment · pretrial · custody · detention · magistrate · conditions · jurisdiction

scoop

bucket

Open-top carrying vessel

scoopFirst-reported story
ladleDeep spoon for serving
bilgeShip's water-collecting depths

pump · water · boat · siphon · empty · pour · transfer · swamp · dinghy · canoe

freedom

release

To let go

acquittalFormal clearing of charges
exonerationOfficial clearing of blame
paroleConditional early release

liberty · discharge · reprieve · clemency · out · free · spring · escape · flee · abscond

abandon

out

Not present here

leaveSanctioned time away
quitCease doing something
escapeFlight from captivity

eject · parachute · jump · flee · desert · ditch · retreat · withdraw · exit

rescue

out

Not present here

helpAssistance given
saveProtect from loss
emergencySerious sudden danger

assistance · relief · lifeline · support · extricate · trouble · financial · friend · favor · loan

cricket

stumps

Cut tree bases

wicketSmall subsidiary entrance
dislodgeForce from position
bowledThrew at pins

delivery · batsman · crease · dismiss · fallen · off · leg · middle · zing

bail

bond

bucket

release

out

out

stumps

bail

Opposites

Phrases

Categories

Family