Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Bait
Bait
(bāt)
, Noun.
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
(bāt)
, Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Baited
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Baiting
.] [OE.
baiten
, beitēn
, to feed, harass, fr. Icel. beita
, orig., to cause to bite, fr. bīta
. √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 bull2.
To give a portion of food and drink to, upon the road;
as, to
. bait
horsesHolland.
3.
To furnish or cover with bait, as a trap or hook.
A crooked pin . . .
baited
with a vile earthworm. W. Irving.
Bait
(bāt)
, Verb.
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
(bāt)
, Verb.
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.