Definition of "bait"

bait¹

/beɪt/

noun
countable and uncountable, plural baits
1. Any substance, especially food, used in catching fish, or other animals, by alluring them to a hook, snare, trap, or net.
2. Food containing poison or a harmful additive to kill animals that are pests.
3. Anything which allures; something used to lure or entice someone or something into doing something
  Quotations
  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. (as the head of a compound) Something that lures or entices a specified group
4. A portion of food or drink, as a refreshment taken on a journey; also, a stop for rest and refreshment.
  Quotations
  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
  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. […], volumes (please specify |volume=I or II), London: John Murray, […], 20 December 1817 (indicated as 1818), page page 70
  1. (Tyneside) A packed lunch.
  2. (East Anglia) A small meal taken mid-morning while farming.
  3. (Northern England) A miner's packed meal.
  4. A light or hasty luncheon.
5. (Internet slang) A post intended to get a rise out of others.
verb
third-person singular simple present baits, present participle baiting, simple past and past participle baited
1. (transitive) To attract with bait; to entice.
2. (transitive) To affix bait to a trap or a fishing hook or fishing line.
  Quotations
  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. S. Van Winkle, […]

bait²

/beɪt/

verb
third-person singular simple present baits, present participle baiting, simple past and past participle baited
1. (transitive) To set dogs on (an animal etc.) to bite or worry; to attack with dogs, especially for sport.
2. (transitive) To intentionally annoy, torment, or threaten by constant rebukes or threats; to harass.
  Quotations
  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, “”, in David Douglas, editor, The Journal of Sir Walter Scott […], volume I, Edinburgh: David Douglas, published 1890
3. (transitive, now rare) To feed and water (a horse or other animal), especially during a journey.
  Quotations
  And than they com into a lowe medow that was full of swete floures, and there thes noble knyghtes bayted her horses.(please add an English translation of this quotation)
  1470–1485 (date produced), Thomas Malory, “Capitulum ix”, in [Le Morte Darthur], (please specify the book number), [London: […] by William Caxton], published 31 July 1485; republished as H[einrich] Oskar Sommer, editor, Le Morte Darthur […], London: David Nutt, […], 1889,
  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, page 12
4. (intransitive) (of a horse or other animal) To take food, especially during a journey.
  Quotations
  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 […]
5. (intransitive) (of a person) To stop to take a portion of food and drink for refreshment during a journey.
  Quotations
  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. M[acock] for John Starkey […], page 89, line 539
  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 23 (Gregorian calendar), John Evelyn, “”, 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, 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 and John Nichols, editors, The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, […], new edition, volume XVI, London: […] J[oseph] Johnson, […], published 1801, 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

bait³

/beɪt/

verb
third-person singular simple present baits, present participle baiting, simple past and past participle baited
1. (obsolete, intransitive) To flap the wings; to flutter as if to fly; or to hover, as a hawk when she stoops to her prey.
  Quotations
  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, [Act IV, scene i]

bait⁴

/beɪt/

adjective
comparative baiter, superlative baitest
1. (MLE) Obvious; blatant.
  Quotations
  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
2. (MLE) Well-known; famous; renowned.
  Quotations
  My face is bait, I can't hide it
  2017, “Bait Face”, in Godfather, performed by Richard "Wiley" Cowie and Ryan "Scratchy" Williams

Definition of "bait"

bait1

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bait2

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bait3

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bait4

adjective

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bait¹

bait²

bait³

bait⁴