bait

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   Any substance, especially food, used in catching fish, or other animals, by alluring them…

   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. 2

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

3. 3

   Anything which allures

   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. ›+ 14 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      A portion of food or drink, as a refreshment taken on a journey

      A portion of food or drink, as a refreshment taken on a journey; also, a stop for rest and refreshment.

      • A short stop, but no refreshment. Such baits are frequently given by the natives of the principality to their keffels, or horses, particularly after climbing a hill.
      • The tediousness of a two hours' bait at Petty-France, in which there was nothing to be done but to eat without being hungry, and loiter about without any thing to see, next followed […]
   2. 5

      A post intended to elicit a, usually strong or negative, reaction from others.

      • Please stop posting bait, or I will have to mute you.
   3. 6

      To attract with bait

      To attract with bait; to entice.

   4. 7

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

      • a crooked pin […] baited with a vile earthworm
   5. 8

      To lay baits in an environment to control pest species.

   6. 9

      To target a pest species by laying baits.

   7. 10

      To set dogs on (an animal etc.) to bite or worry

      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
   8. 11

      To intentionally annoy, torment, or threaten by constant rebukes or threats

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

      • 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.
   9. 12

      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.
      • Before I could move in it, however, I had to wait until we stopped to bait the flagging horses, which we did about noon at the head of the valley.
   10. 13

       Of a horse or other animal

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

       • [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.
   11. 14

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

       (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.
       • When he [a servant's master] baits at noon, enter the inn gate before him, and call the ostler to hold your master's horse while he alights.
   12. 15

       To flap the wings

       To flap the wings; to flutter as if to fly; or to hover, as a hawk when she stoops to her prey.

       • Kites that baite and beate.
   13. 16

       Obvious

       Obvious; blatant.

       • I've been at home all day / Cloning £50 notes, this is sick / But it's a bit bait / Cause all the serial numbers are the same / So I can't spend them in the same place
   14. 17

       Well-known

       Well-known; famous; renowned.

       • My face is bait, I can't hide it

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