Definitions for: Bait


[n] something used to lure victims into danger
[n] anything that serves as an enticement
[v] 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"
[v] attack with dogs or set dogs upon
[v] lure, entice, or entrap with bait



Webster (1913) Definition: Bait, n. [Icel. beita food, beit pasture, akin to AS.
b[=a]t food, Sw. bete. See Bait, v. i.]
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 bug (Zo["o]l), a crustacean of the genus Hippa found
burrowing in sandy beaches. See Anomura.


Bait, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Baited; p. pr. & vb. n.
Baiting.] [OE. baiten, beit?n, to feed, harass, fr. Icel.
beita, orig. to cause to bite, fr. b[=i]ta. [root]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. --Holland.

3. To furnish or cover with bait, as a trap or hook.

A crooked pin . . . bailed with a vile earthworm.
--W. Irving.


Bait, v. i.
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
at Newmarket. --Evelyn.


Bait, v. i. [F. battre de l'aile (or des ailes), to flap
or 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.

Synonyms: cod, come-on, decoy, hook, lure, lure, rag, rally, razz, ride, sweetener, tantalise, tantalize, taunt, tease, twit

See Also: assail, assault, attack, banter, barrack, bemock, chaff, device, entice, enticement, fish lure, fisherman's lure, flout, gibe, ground bait, jeer, jolly, josh, kid, lure, mock, scoff, set on, stool pigeon, tempt, temptation, trap

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