GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 4 definitions

1.       
   Bait , n. [Icel. beita food, beit pasture, akin to AS. bāt food, Sw. bete. See Bait, v. t.]
   Any substance, esp. food, used in catching fish, or other animals, by alluring them to a hook, snare, inclosure, or net.
   1913 Webster
   Anything which allures; a lure; enticement; temptation.
   Fairfax.
   
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   A portion of food or drink, as a refreshment taken on a journey; also, a stop for rest and refreshment.
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   A light or hasty luncheon.
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   Bait bug (Zool.), a crustacean of the genus Hippa found burrowing in sandy beaches. See Anomura.
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2.       
   Bait , v. 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.]
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   To provoke and harass; esp., to harass or torment for sport; as, to bait a bear with dogs; to bait a bull.
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   To give a portion of food and drink to, upon the road; as, to bait horses.
   Holland.
   
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   To furnish or cover with bait, as a trap or hook.
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   A crooked pin . . . baited with a vile earthworm.
   W. Irving.
   
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3.       
   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.
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   Evil news rides post, while good news baits.
   Milton.
   
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   My lord's coach conveyed me to Bury, and thence baiting at Newmarket.
   Evelyn.
   
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4.       
   Bait , v. i. [F. battre de l'aile (or des ailes), to flap or flutter. See Batter, v. t.] 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.
   
   1913 Webster