English

bearbaiting

Alternative forms

• bear-baiting

Noun

bearbaiting ‎(countable and uncountable, plural bearbaitings)

1. A blood sport in which dogs are set upon a chained bear
   • 1858, Thomas Babington Macaulay, The History of England:

     But bearbaiting, then a favourite diversion of high and low, was the abomination which most strongly stirred the wrath of the austere sectaries.

   • 1900, Mary Johnston, To Have and To Hold:

     By this the whole matter had presented itself to them as an entertainment more diverting than bullfight or bearbaiting.

Adjective

bearbaiting ‎(not comparable)

1. Bloodthirsty.
   • 1995 December 15, Lee Sandlin, “Watch Yourself”, in Chicago Reader:

     Granted, it wasn't that much of a reach to line up panels of Wal-Mart gross-outs for that bearbaiting audience of hers to hoot and gibber at; and it's also true that her guests, more than those on other shows, do routinely show up for the taping in outfits so grotesque they can turn unwary spectators to stone.

See also

• bearbaiting on Wikipedia.Wikipedia