bait

plural baits · alternative b8

1. countableuncountableAny substance, especially food, used in catching fish, or other animals, by alluring them to a hook, snare, trap, or net.

   attach bait to a hook

   1 more example

   catch a few using bait

2. countableuncountableFood containing poison or a harmful additive to kill animals that are pests.
3. countableuncountableAnything which allures; something or someone used to lure or entice someone or something into doing something.

   ragebait

   3 more examples

   clickbait

   engagement bait

   One of the “girls” used in this way, Pamella Bordes, later spoke of being “part of an enormous group … used as sexual bait.”

   2017 June 7, Adam Lusher, “Adnan Khashoggi: the 'whoremonger' whose arms deals funded a playboy life of decadence and 'pleasure wives'”, in The Independent, London

   1. InternetcountableuncountableA post intended to elicit a, usually strong or negative, reaction from others.

      Please stop posting bait, or I will have to mute you.

   2. countableuncountableSomething that lures or entices a specified group.

      queerbait

      2 more examples

      sequel bait

      Netflix bait

   3. countableuncountablevulgarlifestyleSomeone that attracts or entices a specified sex act being done to them.

      somno bait

      1 more example

      snuff bait

4. countableuncountableA portion of food or drink, as a refreshment taken on a journey; also, a stop for rest and refreshment.

   A short stop, but no refreshment. Such baits are frequently given by the natives of the principality to their keffels, or horses, particularly after climbing a hill.

   1824, Thomas Fielding, Select Proverbs of All Nations, page 132

   1 more example

   The tediousness of a two hours' bait at Petty-France, in which there was nothing to be done but to eat without being hungry, and loiter about without any thing to see, next followed […]

   1803 (date written), [Jane Austen], chapter XX, in Northanger Abbey; published in Northanger Abbey: And Persuasion. […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: John Murray, […], 20 December 1817 (indicated as 1818), →OCLC, page page 70

   1. DurhamGeordieNorthern EnglandcountableespeciallyuncountableA packed lunch, especially for a miner or other manual labourer.
   2. East AngliacountableuncountableA small meal taken mid-morning while farming.
   3. countableuncountableA light or hasty luncheon.

present singular third person baits · participle present baiting · participle past baited · past baited · alternative b8

1. transitiveTo attract with bait; to entice.
2. transitiveTo affix bait to a trap or a fishing hook or fishing line.

   a crooked pin […] baited with a vile earthworm

   1819 June 23 – 1820 September 13, Geoffrey Crayon [pseudonym; Washington Irving], “(please specify the title)”, in The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent., New York, N.Y.: […] C[ornelius] S. Van Winkle, […], →OCLC

3. transitiveTo lay baits in an environment to control pest species.
4. transitiveTo target a pest species by laying baits.

present singular third person baits · participle present baiting · participle past baited · past baited

1. transitiveTo set dogs on (an animal etc.) to bite or worry; to attack with dogs, especially for sport.

   to bait a bull

   1 more example

   to bait a bear with dogs

2. transitiveTo intentionally annoy, torment, or threaten by constant rebukes or threats; to harass.

   But [US Vice President J.D.] Vance, the champion of diplomacy, shouldn’t have baited a war-weary man fighting for the survival of his country in the first place.

   2025 February 28, Jonah Goldberg, “Dishonor and Incompetence in the Oval Office”, in The Dispatch

   1 more example

   I remember once before, a mad woman, from about Alnwick, by name baited me with letters and plans — first for charity for herself or some protégé — I gave my guinea— then she wanted to have half the profits of a novel which I was to publish under my name and auspices.

   1826 February 11 (date written), Walter Scott, “[Entry dated 11 February 1826]”, in David Douglas, editor, The Journal of Sir Walter Scott […], volume I, Edinburgh: David Douglas, published 1890, →OCLC

   Synonyms: badger, hound, badger, bedevil, beleaguer, persecute, dog, bullyrag

3. archaictransitiveTo feed and water (a horse or other animal), especially during a journey.

   The Sunne that measures heauen all day long, / At night doth baite his steedes the Ocean waues emong.

   1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book I, Canto I”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC, page 12

   2 more examples

   And than they com into a lowe medow that was full of swete floures, and there thes noble knyghtes bayted her horses.

   1470–1485 (date produced), Thomas Malory, “Capitulum ix”, in [Le Morte Darthur], book V, [London: […] by William Caxton], published 31 July 1485, →OCLC; republished as H[einrich] Oskar Sommer, editor, Le Morte Darthur […], London: David Nutt, […], 1889, →OCLC

   Before I could move in it, however, I had to wait until we stopped to bait the flagging horses, which we did about noon at the head of the valley.

   1894, Stanley J. Weyman, chapter VI, in Under the Red Robe

4. intransitiveOf a horse or other animal: to take food, especially during a journey.

   [H]orses' playful neigh, / From rustic's whips, and plough, and waggon, free, / Baiting in careless freedom o'er the leas, / Or turn'd to knap each other at their ease.

   1821, John Clare, “[Poems.] Sunday Walks.”, in The Village Minstrel, and Other Poems, volume II, London: […] [T. Miller] for Taylor and Hessey, […]; and E[dward] Drury, […], →OCLC, pages 105–106

   1 more example

   King Cyrus, that he might more speedily receave news from al parts of his Empire (which was of exceeding great length), would needs have it tried how far a horse could in a day goe outright without baiting, at which distance he caused stations to be set up, and men to have fresh horses ready for al such as came to him.

   1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 22, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book II, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC

5. intransitive(of a person) To stop to take a portion of food and drink for refreshment during a journey.

   For evil news rides post, while good news baits.

   1671, John Milton, “Samson Agonistes, […].”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for John Starkey […], →OCLC, page 89, line 539

   3 more examples

   My Lord’s coach convey’d me to Bury, and thence baiting at Newmarket, stepping in at Audley End to see that house againe, I slept at Bishops Strotford, and the next day home.

   1677 September 22 (Gregorian calendar), John Evelyn, “[Diary entry for 13 September 1677]”, in William Bray, editor, Memoirs, Illustrative of the Life and Writings of John Evelyn, […], 2nd edition, volume II, London: Henry Colburn, […]; and sold by John and Arthur Arch, […], published 1819, →OCLC, part I, page 433

   When he [a servant's master] baits at noon, enter the inn gate before him, and call the ostler to hold your master's horse while he alights.

   1731 (date written, published 1745), Jonathan Swift, “[Directions to Servants.] The Duty of Servants at Inns.”, in Thomas Sheridan, John Nichols, editors, The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, […], new edition, volume XVI, London: […] J[oseph] Johnson, […], published 1801, →OCLC, page 174

   At Break of Day we arose, and after a short Repast march’d on till Noon, when we baited among some shady Trees near a Pond of Water […]

   1743, Robert Drury, The Pleasant, and Surprizing Adventures of Mr. Robert Drury, during his Fifteen Years Captivity on the Island of Madagascar, London, page 62

present singular third person baits · participle present baiting · participle past baited · past baited

1. intransitiveobsoleteTo flap the wings; to flutter as if to fly; or to hover, as a hawk when she stoops to her prey.

   Kites that baite and beate.

   c. 1590–1592 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Taming of the Shrew”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i]

comparative baiter · superlative baitest

1. Multicultural London EnglishObvious; blatant.

   I've been at home all day / Cloning £50 notes, this is sick / But it's a bit bait / Cause all the serial numbers are the same / So I can't spend them in the same place

   2008, “Power”, in Famous?, performed by Jamie "Jme" Adenuga and Tim Westwood

   Synonyms: apparent, arrant, undoubted, glaring, blatant, clear, clear as a bell, clear as day

2. Multicultural London EnglishWell-known; famous; renowned.

   My face is bait, I can't hide it

   2017, “Bait Face”, in Godfather, performed by Richard "Wiley" Cowie and Ryan "Scratchy" Williams

   Synonyms: fabled, famed, famous, famoused, iconic, irrecondite, known, legendary