bait

UK /beɪt/ US /beɪt/
verb 10noun 5adj 2

Definitions

noun

1

Any substance, especially food, used in catching fish, or other animals, by alluring them to a hook, snare, trap, or net.

attach bait to a hook

catch a few using bait

2

Food containing poison or a harmful additive to kill animals that are pests.

3

Anything which allures; something or someone used to lure or entice someone or something into doing something.

One of the “girls” used in this way, Pamella Bordes, later spoke of being “part of an enormous group … used as sexual bait.”

4

Anything which allures; something or someone used to lure or entice someone or something into doing something.

queerbait

sequel bait

5

Anything which allures; something or someone used to lure or entice someone or something into doing something.

somno bait

snuff bait

verb

1

To attract with bait; to entice.

2

To affix bait to a trap or a fishing hook or fishing line.

a crooked pin […] baited with a vile earthworm

3

To lay baits in an environment to control pest species.

4

To target a pest species by laying baits.

verb

1

To set dogs on (an animal etc.) to bite or worry; to attack with dogs, especially for sport.

to bait a bear with dogs

to bait a bull

2

To intentionally annoy, torment, or threaten by constant rebukes or threats; to harass.

I remember once before, a mad woman, from about Alnwick, by name baited me with letters and plans — first for charity for herself or some protégé — I gave my guinea— then she wanted to have half the profits of a novel which I was to publish under my name and auspices.

But [US Vice President J.D.] Vance, the champion of diplomacy, shouldn’t have baited a war-weary man fighting for the survival of his country in the first place.

3

To feed and water (a horse or other animal), especially during a journey.

And than they com into a lowe medow that was full of swete floures, and there thes noble knyghtes bayted her horses.

The Sunne that measures heauen all day long, / At night doth baite his steedes the Ocean waues emong.

4

Of a horse or other animal: to take food, especially during a journey.

King Cyrus, that he might more speedily receave news from al parts of his Empire (which was of exceeding great length), would needs have it tried how far a horse could in a day goe outright without baiting, at which distance he caused stations to be set up, and men to have fresh horses ready for al such as came to him.

[H]orses' playful neigh, / From rustic's whips, and plough, and waggon, free, / Baiting in careless freedom o'er the leas, / Or turn'd to knap each other at their ease.

5

(of a person) To stop to take a portion of food and drink for refreshment during a journey.

For evil news rides post, while good news baits.

My Lord’s coach convey’d me to Bury, and thence baiting at Newmarket, stepping in at Audley End to see that house againe, I slept at Bishops Strotford, and the next day home.

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