bait Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun anything that serves as an enticement
come-on; lure; sweetener; hook.
noun something used to lure fish or other animals into danger so they can be trapped or killed
decoy; lure.
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
verb lure, entice, or entrap with bait
verb attack with dogs or set dogs upon

Icel. beita food, beit pasture, akin to AS. bat food, Sw. bete. See Bait, v. i.

Any substance, esp. food, used in catching fish, or other animals, by alluring them to a hook, snare, inclosure, or net.
Anything which allures; a lure; enticement; temptation. Fairfax.
A portion of food or drink, as a refreshment taken on a journey; also, a stop for rest and refreshment.
A light or hasty luncheon.

OE. baiten, beitn, to feed, harass, fr. Icel. beita, orig. to cause to bite, fr. bita. See Bite.

imperfect & past participle Baited; present participle & verbal noun Baiting

To provoke and harass; esp., to harass or torment for sport; as, to bait a bear with dogs; to bait a bull.
To give a portion of food and drink to, upon the road; as, to bait horses. Holland.
To furnish or cover with bait, as a trap or hook.
A crooked pin . . . bailed with a vile earthworm. W. 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. Milton.

My lord's coach conveyed me to Bury, and thence baiting a Newmarket. Evelyn.

F. battre de l'aile (or des ailes), to flap o flutter. See Batter, v. i.

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.