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The chief law officer of the state, empowered to act in all litigation in which the law-executing power is a party, and to advise this supreme executive whenever required. Wharton.

An officer of the king's stables whose duty it was to provide oats for the horses. [Obs.]

A title of respect or honor given to European officers in East Indian state papers, and colloquially, and among the natives, to distinguished officials and other important personages.

The person or persons who procure the release of a prisoner from the custody of the officer, or from imprisonment, by becoming surely for his appearance in court. The bail must be real, substantial bondsmen. Blackstone. A. and B. were bail to the arrest in a suit at law. Kent.

An officer in Scotland, whose office formerly corresponded to that of sheriff, but now corresponds to that of an English alderman.

Originally, a person put in charge of something especially, a chief officer, magistrate, or keeper, as of a county, town, hundred, or castle; one to whom power Abbott. Lausanne is under the canton of Berne, governed by a bailiff sent every three years from the senate. Addison.

An officer who has charge of a ballot box. [Obs.] Harrington.

A book kept by a depositor, in which an officer of a bank enters the debits and credits of the depositor's account with the bank.

A civil officer in some Swiss cantons.

A large boat used by flag officers.

Formerly, a local judge among miners; now, an officer of the barmote. [Eng.]

An officer bearing a painted staff, who formerly was in attendance upon the king's court to take into custody persons committed by the court. Mozley & W.

A horse which carries an officer's baggage during a campaign.

Extra pay; esp. an extra allowance to an English officer serving in India. Whitworth.

An officer in a university, who precedes public processions of officers and students. [Eng.]

A chamber for a bed; an apartment form sleeping in. Shak. Lords of the bedchamber, eight officers of the royal household, all of noble families, who wait in turn a week each. [Eng.] -- Ladies of the bedchamber, eight ladies, all titled, holding a similar official position in the royal household, during the reign of a q…

A room in which a number of the officers or ship's company mess and reside.

reachery or fraud, in violation of trust; to give up treacherously or faithlessly; as, an officer betrayed the city. Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men. Matt. xvii. 22.

A ticket from a public officer directing soldiers at what house to lodge; as, a billet of residence.

theologians of all shades of opinion, that in the language of the New Testament the same officer in the church is called indifferently "bishop" ( J. B. Lightfoot.