bait Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun anything that serves as an enticement
    come-on; lure; sweetener; hook.
  2. noun something used to lure fish or other animals into danger so they can be trapped or killed
    decoy; lure.
  3. verb harass with persistent criticism or carping
    rag; razz; tantalize; twit; taunt; ride; tease; cod; rally; tantalise.
    • The children teased the new teacher
    • Don't ride me so hard over my failure
    • His fellow workers razzed him when he wore a jacket and tie
  4. verb lure, entice, or entrap with bait
  5. verb attack with dogs or set dogs upon

WordNet


Bait noun
Etymology
Icel. beita food, beit pasture, akin to AS. bat food, Sw. bete. See Bait, v. i.
Definitions
  1. Any substance, esp. food, used in catching fish, or other animals, by alluring them to a hook, snare, inclosure, or net.
  2. Anything which allures; a lure; enticement; temptation. Fairfax.
  3. A portion of food or drink, as a refreshment taken on a journey; also, a stop for rest and refreshment.
  4. A light or hasty luncheon.
Bait transitive verb
Etymology
OE. baiten, beitn, to feed, harass, fr. Icel. beita, orig. to cause to bite, fr. bita. See Bite.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Baited; present participle & verbal noun Baiting
Definitions
  1. To provoke and harass; esp., to harass or torment for sport; as, to bait a bear with dogs; to bait a bull.
  2. To give a portion of food and drink to, upon the road; as, to bait horses. Holland.
  3. To furnish or cover with bait, as a trap or hook.
    A crooked pin . . . bailed with a vile earthworm. W. Irving.
Bait intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To stop to take a portion of food and drink for refreshment of one's self or one's beasts, on a journey.
    Evil news rides post, while good news baits. Milton.
    My lord's coach conveyed me to Bury, and thence baiting a Newmarket. Evelyn.
Bait intransitive verb
Etymology
F. battre de l'aile (or des ailes), to flap o flutter. See Batter, v. i.
Definitions
  1. To flap the wings; to flutter as if to fly; or to hover, as a hawk when she stoops to her prey. "Kites that bait and beat." Shak.

Webster 1913