ˈbail-dock, ˈbale-dock Obs.
[? f. bail n.3 barrier: see dock.]
At the Old Bailey, London, (formerly) ‘a small room taken from one of the corners of the court, and left open at the top; in which, during the trials, are put some of the malefactors.’ Scots Mag. 1753 XV. 42/1.
| 1624 Heywood Gunaik. iii. 159 The sessions is dissolved, the bench and bale-docke cleered. 1662 T. Ellwood Autobiog. (1767) 148 Away I was taken and thrust into the Bail-dock to my other Friends who had been called before me. 1670 Penn Truth Rescued 8, I was commanded to the Bale-Dock for Turbulency and Impertinency. 1716 Lond. Gaz. No. 5399/3 James Goodman..made his Escape..by leaping over the Spikes of the Bail-Dock and the Rails at the Sessions-House in the Old-Baily. 1823 Lamb Elia (1860) 72, I remember Penn before his accusers, and Fox in the bail-dock. |