bearbait

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   An instance of bearbaiting.

   • Congleton had a reputation for bearbaiting and went to some lengths to protect it, sending messengers to Knutsford and Bunbury to ensure that the bearwards got to the Congleton bearbait (see pp 639, 653).
2. 2

   Bait used to lure bears.

   • I went first this morning to the carcass of the bison we had killed for bearbait ; I found a bear had been there, and had already had his breakfast.
   • Horse patrols with Wyoming Game and Fish Department wardens located three illegal bearbait sites; two were located in ldaho and one barely into Wyoming.
3. 3

   A person or animal that is not very useful or respected.

   • The worst ones for straying, curiously enough, were three broken-down old “bearbaits,” which went by themselves, as is generally the case with the cast-off horses of a herd.
   • Listen you ol' chunk of bearbait, you get ornery with me and I'll sic Mollie on you again.
4. ›+ 1 more definitionshow fewer

   1. 4

      To torment or provoke.

      • Creditors, snarling, hound him on from without; mocked Hopes, lost Labours, bearbait him from within: to these torments his fixed-idea keeps him chained.
      • He used to fight the larger negro boys when they would bearbait dogs by tying tin cans to their tails.
      • Talk show hosts bearbaited them, photo editors published unflattering, even demeaning pictures, and the print media ridiculed their intelligence, education, hair, clothing, and personal relationship—rather than addressing the issues.

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