Definition of bait

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bait¹    (bt) KEY 

NOUN:

1. 1. Food or other lure placed on a hook or in a trap and used in the taking of fish, birds, or other animals.
   2. Something, such as a worm, used for this purpose.
2. An enticement; a temptation.
3. Archaic A stop for food or rest during a trip.

VERB:
bait·ed, bait·ing, baits
VERB:
tr.

1. To place a lure in (a trap) or on (a fishing hook).
2. To entice, especially by trickery or strategy.
3. To set dogs upon (a chained animal, for example) for sport.
4. To attack or torment, especially with persistent insults, criticism, or ridicule.
5. To tease.
6. To feed (an animal), especially on a journey.

VERB:
intr.
Archaic

To stop for food or rest during a trip.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Old Norse beita, food, fodder, fish bait. V., from Old Norse beita, to put animals to pasture, hunt with dogs; see bheid- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
baiter(Noun)
Usage Note:
The word baited is sometimes incorrectly substituted for the etymologically correct but unfamiliar word bated ("abated; suspended") in the expression bated breath.