Bailers

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A mechanism utilized to remove excess water from a vessel; persons who facilitate the release of individuals from detention through financial means; receptacles crafted for the purpose of drawing liquid from one source to another
2. Tools or devices used to clear water accumulated in a boat ; individuals who arrange or provide funds to free someone from custody ; vessels designed to scoop and transfer liquids from one place to another
3. Instruments intended to pump or throw water out of a small craft ; persons responsible for obtaining bail to allow release from prison ; containers used primarily to lift and pour liquids safely and conveniently

Etymology: The word "bailer" is a plain agent noun: the suffix "-er" was added to the verb "bail", meaning to scoop water out of a boat. The "-er" ending traces back through Middle English and Old English to a Proto-Germanic suffix, one that gave English many words for a person or thing that does an action, from "baker" to "writer". The verb "bail" is the more interesting part. It was borrowed from Old French "bailler", meaning to hand over, deliver or control, which in turn comes from Latin "bajulare", to carry a burden. Its water-scooping sense seems to have come from the idea of handing or carrying liquid out, so a bailer is literally a thing that carries water away. The plural "bailers" simply pluralises the noun, with the separate senses of the word all resting on the same root. The legal sense, a person who puts up money to free someone from custody, is a different word in origin: "bail" in that sense comes from the same Old French verb "bailler" but developed along the path of entrusting a prisoner into another's keeping.

Synonyms: bucket, scooper, container