bait
Noun · VerbOpen English WordNet
Noun (2)
- anything that serves as an enticementSynonyms: come-onhookluresweetenerType of temptation, enticement
- something used to lure fish or other animals into danger so they can be trapped or killedSynonyms: decoylureType of deviceKinds stool pigeon, chum, ground bait, fisherman's lurePart of trap
Verb (3)baited, baiting
- harass with persistent criticism or carping“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”Synonyms: teaserazzragcodtantalizetantalisetaunttwitrallyrideMore general mock, bemockMore specific jeer, kid
- lure, entice, or entrap with baitMore general entice, lure
- attack with dogs or set dogs uponMore general assail, assault
What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz
Translations
Noun anything which allures
Noun poisoned food to kill pests
The main translation for each meaning, from the langtolang.com multilingual dictionary. Each word links to its full entry there.
Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Origin: Icel. beita food, beit pasture, akin to AS. bāt food, Sw. bete. See Bait, transitive verb
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. Edward 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 bug Zoology, a crustacean of the genus Hippa found burrowing in sandy beaches. See Anomura.
Origin: OE. baiten, beitēn, to feed, harass, fr. Icel. beita, orig., to cause to bite, fr. bīta. √87. See Bite.
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. Philemon Holland
3. To furnish or cover with bait, as a trap or hook.
A crooked pin... baited with a vile earthworm.— Washington Irving
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.— John Milton
My lord's coach conveyed me to Bury, and thence baiting at Newmarket.— John Evelyn
Origin: F. battre de l'aile (or des ailes), to flap or flutter. See Batter, transitive verb
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.” William Shakespeare
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54