bail 1 
(bāl)
(bāl)n.
1. Security, usually a sum of money, exchanged for the release of an arrested person as a guarantee of that person's appearance for trial.
2. Release from imprisonment provided by the payment of such money.
3. A person who provides this security.
tr.v. bailed, bail·ing, bails
Idioms: 1. To secure the release of by providing security.
2. To release (a person) for whom security has been paid.
3. Informal To extricate from a difficult situation: always bailing you out of trouble.
jump/skip bail
To fail to appear in court and so forfeit one's bail.
make bail
To secure enough money or property to pay the amount of one's bail.
[Middle English, custody, from Old French, from baillier, to take charge of, from Latin bāiulāre, to carry a load, from bāiulus, carrier of a burden.]
bailer n.