Dictionary

bait en · NOUN · etymology 1

Pronunciation

• (US) audio
• bāt
• /beɪt/

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *bʰeyd- Proto-Indo-European *-t Proto-Indo-European *bʰéydt Proto-Germanic *bītaną Proto-Indo-European *-yeti Proto-Indo-European *-éyeti Proto-Germanic *-janą Proto-Germanic *baitijaną Old Norse beitabor. Middle English bayte English bait From Middle English bayte, bait, beite, from Old Norse beita (“food, bait”), from Proto-Germanic *baitō (“that which is bitten, bait”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰeyd- (“to cleave, split, separate”). Cognate with German Beize (“mordant, corrosive fluid; marinade”), Old English bāt (“that which can be bitten, food, bait”). Related to bite.

Meanings

1. (countable, uncountable) Any substance, especially food, used in catching fish, or other animals, by alluring them to a hook, snare, trap, or net.
   • catch a few using bait
   • attach bait to a hook
2. (countable, uncountable) Food containing poison or a harmful additive to kill animals that are pests.
3. (countable, uncountable) Anything which allures; something or someone used to lure or entice someone or something into doing something.
   • 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:
4. (as the head of a compound, countable, uncountable) Anything which allures; something or someone used to lure or entice someone or something into doing something. ▸ Something that lures or entices a specified group.
   • queerbait
   • Netflix bait
   • sequel bait
5. (countable, uncountable, vulgar) Anything which allures; something or someone used to lure or entice someone or something into doing something. ▸ Someone that attracts or entices a specified sex act being done to them.
   • snuff bait
   • somno bait
6. (countable, uncountable) A portion of food or drink, as a refreshment taken on a journey; also, a stop for rest and refreshment.
   • 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. […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: John Murray, […], 20 December 1817 (indicated as 1818), →OCLC, page page 70:
7. (Durham, Geordie, countable, uncountable) A portion of food or drink, as a refreshment taken on a journey; also, a stop for rest and refreshment. ▸ A packed lunch - the bite to eat a worker took with them to eat.
8. (East-Anglia, countable, uncountable) A portion of food or drink, as a refreshment taken on a journey; also, a stop for rest and refreshment. ▸ A small meal taken mid-morning while farming.
9. (Northern-England, countable, uncountable) A portion of food or drink, as a refreshment taken on a journey; also, a stop for rest and refreshment. ▸ A miner's packed meal.
10. (countable, uncountable) A portion of food or drink, as a refreshment taken on a journey; also, a stop for rest and refreshment. ▸ A light or hasty luncheon.
11. (Internet, countable, uncountable) A post intended to elicit a, usually strong or negative, reaction from others.
    • Please stop posting bait, or I will have to mute you.

Forms

Deriveds

furry bait · pogey bait · craybait · clickbait · buzzbait · ledger bait · baity · bait car · bear bait · shark-bait · bait boat · Oscar bait · cut bait · baitfish · baithook · bear-bait · bait money · baitholder · nonbaited · baitworm · jail-bait · bait bill · jailbait · bait-cord · groundbait · baitcasting · crankbait · bait dog · jebait · click-bait · bait advertising · spoonbait · rise to the bait · bait bug · baitwell · baitware · bait-and-switch · baiting · fish or cut bait · baitable · baitshop · buzzard bait · whitebait · bearbait · unbaited · baitcaster · gaybait · ragebait · baitless · link bait · stinkbait · bait up · fujobait · flame bait · bait bills · queerbait · linkbait · bait ball · jail bait · shark bait · pedobaiting · unicorn bait · fishbait · swimbait · -bait · YouTube bait · spinnerbait · prebait · red-bait · crowbait · unbait · flamebait · scambait · take the bait · click bait · rebait · pedobait · link-bait · bait and switch · redbait · race-bait · dickbait · sharebait · fuckbait · bait box

Descendants

bet · bet

Translations (162)

pl przynęta (anything which allures) · bg изкуше́ние (anything which allures) · ar طُعْم (substance used in catching animals) · fi syötti (poisoned food to kill pests) · ja 毒餌 (poisoned food to kill pests) · mi māunu (substance used in catching animals) · ru мано́к (anything which allures) · ca esquer (anything which allures) · fr appât (poisoned food to kill pests) · hu csalétek (anything which allures) · it esca (anything which allures) · es ñagaza (substance used in catching animals) · is agn (substance used in catching animals) · gl gueldo (substance used in catching animals) · hy խայծ (substance used in catching animals) · kw treustrumm (substance used in catching animals) · fi välipala (light or hasty luncheon) · alt јем (substance used in catching animals) · nrf bète (substance used in catching animals) · fi eväät (portion of food or drink taken on a journey) · uk прима́нка (substance used in catching animals) · ru прима́нка (poisoned food to kill pests) · da agn (substance used in catching animals) · hi चारा (substance used in catching animals) · pt isca (anything which allures) · mk мамец (substance used in catching animals) · ast guieldu (substance used in catching animals) · ro momeală (substance used in catching animals) · ms umpan (substance used in catching animals) · sv bete (substance used in catching animals) · ru прима́нка (substance used in catching animals) · sh мамац (substance used in catching animals) · gl isca (substance used in catching animals) · fi syötti (anything which allures) · fr leurre (anything which allures) · cmn 魚餌 /鱼饵 (substance used in catching animals) · cs vábnička (anything which allures) · ml ഇര (substance used in catching animals) · uk нажи́вка (substance used in catching animals) · ale umĝix̂ (substance used in catching animals) · fi täky (substance used in catching animals) · ckb چەشە (substance used in catching animals) · no beita (substance used in catching animals) · es enza (anything which allures) · gl raba (substance used in catching animals) · sh mamac (anything which allures) · ja 誘惑 (anything which allures) · pl przynęta (substance used in catching animals) · cmn 誘餌 /诱饵 (substance used in catching animals) · pt engodo (anything which allures) · ko 독미끼 (poisoned food to kill pests) · sl vaba (poisoned food to kill pests) · ko 먹이 (substance used in catching animals) · msk paan (substance used in catching animals) · es enza (substance used in catching animals) · akl paon (substance used in catching animals) · atv чем (substance used in catching animals) · cs návnada (substance used in catching animals) · pl wabik (anything which allures) · mn ᠥᠭᠭᠦᠭᠡᠰᠢ (substance used in catching animals) · uk прина́да (substance used in catching animals) · ru прима́нка (anything which allures) · sk návnada (substance used in catching animals) · ast carnada (substance used in catching animals) · es cebo (substance used in catching animals) · es anzuelo (anything which allures) · id umpan (substance used in catching animals) · es carnada (substance used in catching animals) · eu amuzki (substance used in catching animals) · fi huikopala (light or hasty luncheon) · eu jaki (substance used in catching animals) · hi प्रलोभन (substance used in catching animals) · es carnaza (anything which allures) · sl vaba (substance used in catching animals) · cmn 毒饵 (poisoned food to kill pests) · sh mamac (substance used in catching animals) · es carnada (anything which allures) · ru нажи́вка (substance used in catching animals) · es añagaza (anything which allures) · fi syötti (substance used in catching animals) · bg стръв (substance used in catching animals) · atv нем (substance used in catching animals) · de Giftköder (poisoned food to kill pests) · fi eväs (portion of food or drink taken on a journey) · cs přesnídávka (light or hasty luncheon) · kxd umpan (substance used in catching animals) · oc esca (substance used in catching animals) · de Köder (substance used in catching animals) · gl engado (anything which allures) · ast enguadu (substance used in catching animals) · ja 餌 (substance used in catching animals) · sv lockbete (anything which allures) · hu csali (anything which allures) · non beita (substance used in catching animals) · ko 유혹 (anything which allures) · vo bätazib (anything which allures) · gl engado (substance used in catching animals) · gl ensenrada (anything which allures) · es carnaza (substance used in catching animals) · tsg umpan (substance used in catching animals) · sw chambo (substance used in catching animals) · is beita (substance used in catching animals) · mn өгөөш (substance used in catching animals) · eu beita (substance used in catching animals) · es añagaza (substance used in catching animals) · cs svačina (portion of food or drink taken on a journey) · cs lákadlo (anything which allures) · atv ньем (substance used in catching animals) · it esca (substance used in catching animals) · no agn (substance used in catching animals) · ca esquer (substance used in catching animals) · la esca (substance used in catching animals) · sh мамац (anything which allures) · sv agn (substance used in catching animals) · hu csalétek (substance used in catching animals) · cs návnada (anything which allures) · tr yem (substance used in catching animals) · cs otrávená návnada (poisoned food to kill pests) · fa طعمه (substance used in catching animals) · ru искуше́ние (anything which allures) · pl trutka (poisoned food to kill pests) · de Köder (anything which allures) · el δόλωμα (anything which allures) · grc δέλεαρ (substance used in catching animals) · yka umpen (substance used in catching animals) · fi ruokatauko (light or hasty luncheon) · gl besbello (anything which allures) · nl aas (substance used in catching animals) · mi poapoa (substance used in catching animals) · el δόλωμα (substance used in catching animals) · ta இரை (substance used in catching animals) · th เหยื่อ (substance used in catching animals) · vi mồi (substance used in catching animals) · pt isca (substance used in catching animals) · fi matkaeväät (portion of food or drink taken on a journey) · de Lockmittel (anything which allures) · srn beti (substance used in catching animals) · ast raba (substance used in catching animals) · pt lanche (light or hasty luncheon) · hu csali (substance used in catching animals) · sl vaba (anything which allures) · ko 미끼 (substance used in catching animals) · vo bätazib (substance used in catching animals) · nl lokaas (substance used in catching animals) · non agn (substance used in catching animals) · ro nadă (substance used in catching animals) · pt isca (light or hasty luncheon) · hi प्रलोभन (anything which allures) · fr appât (substance used in catching animals) · fur lescje (substance used in catching animals) · cy abwyd (substance used in catching animals) · tl pain (substance used in catching animals) · pt farnel (portion of food or drink taken on a journey) · cy abwyd (anything which allures) · es señuelo (substance used in catching animals) · mi mōunu (substance used in catching animals) · pt isca (poisoned food to kill pests) · bg прима́мка (anything which allures) · da madding (substance used in catching animals) · fo agn (substance used in catching animals) · bcl paon (substance used in catching animals) · mi parangia (substance used in catching animals)

bait en · VERB · etymology 1

Pronunciation

• (US) audio
• bāt
• /beɪt/

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *bʰeyd- Proto-Indo-European *-t Proto-Indo-European *bʰéydt Proto-Germanic *bītaną Proto-Indo-European *-yeti Proto-Indo-European *-éyeti Proto-Germanic *-janą Proto-Germanic *baitijaną Old Norse beitabor. Middle English bayte English bait From Middle English bayte, bait, beite, from Old Norse beita (“food, bait”), from Proto-Germanic *baitō (“that which is bitten, bait”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰeyd- (“to cleave, split, separate”). Cognate with German Beize (“mordant, corrosive fluid; marinade”), Old English bāt (“that which can be bitten, food, bait”). Related to bite.

Meanings

1. (transitive) To attract with bait; to entice.
2. (transitive) To affix bait to a trap or a fishing hook or fishing line.
   • 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[ornelius] S. Van Winkle, […], →OCLC:
3. (transitive) To lay baits in an environment to control pest species.
4. (transitive) To target a pest species by laying baits.

Forms

Translations (42)

es cebar (to attract with bait) · pt iscar (to affix or attach a bait) · mi kāweru (to affix or attach a bait) · pt iscar (to attract with bait) · sv agna (to affix or attach a bait) · mi pātoi (to attract with bait) · bg слагам стръв (to attract with bait) · mi poapoa (to attract with bait) · ca atreure (to attract with bait) · fi houkutella syötillä (to attract with bait) · pt negacear (to attract with bait) · gl iscar (to affix or attach a bait) · de ködern (to attract with bait) · nl lokken (to attract with bait) · de anlocken (to attract with bait) · ca posar un parany (to attract with bait) · ca esquerar (to affix or attach a bait) · tr yemlemek (to affix or attach a bait) · ja 餌を付ける (to affix or attach a bait) · fi syötittää (to affix or attach a bait) · it adescare (to attract with bait) · gl encabar (to affix or attach a bait) · tr yemlemek (to attract with bait) · ca engormandir (to attract with bait) · fr appâter (to attract with bait) · gl iscar (to attract with bait) · ca enllepolir (to attract with bait) · grc δελεάζω (to attract with bait) · fo egna (to affix or attach a bait) · sh ма́мити (to attract with bait) · mi mōunu (to affix or attach a bait) · la inescō (to attract with bait) · cs dát návnadu (to affix or attach a bait) · mi māunu (to affix or attach a bait) · sh mámiti (to attract with bait) · ja 餌で釣る (to attract with bait) · pt cevar (to attract with bait) · bg примамвам (to attract with bait) · pt engodar (to attract with bait) · nl aantrekken (to attract with bait) · ca enllaminir (to attract with bait) · it innescare (to affix or attach a bait)

bait en · VERB · etymology 2

Pronunciation

• (US) audio
• bāt
• /beɪt/

Etymology

From Middle English bayten, baiten, beiten, from Old Norse beita (“to bait, cause to bite, feed, hunt”), from Proto-Germanic *baitijaną (“to cause to bite, bridle”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰeyd- (“to cleave, split, separate”). Cognate with Icelandic beita (“to bait”), Swedish beta (“to bait, pasture, graze”), German beizen (“to cause to bite, bait”), Old English bǣtan (“to bait, hunt, bridle, bit”).

Meanings

1. (transitive) To set dogs on (an animal etc.) to bite or worry; to attack with dogs, especially for sport.
   • to bait a bull
   • to bait a bear with dogs
2. (transitive) To intentionally annoy, torment, or threaten by constant rebukes or threats; to harass.
   • But [US Vice President J.D.] Vance, the champion of diplomacy, shouldn’t have baited a war-weary man fighting for the survival of his country in the first place. 2025 February 28, Jonah Goldberg, “Dishonor and Incompetence in the Oval Office”, in The Dispatch:
   • 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, “[Entry dated 11 February 1826]”, in David Douglas, editor, The Journal of Sir Walter Scott […], volume I, Edinburgh: David Douglas, published 1890, →OCLC:
3. (archaic, transitive) To feed and water (a horse or other animal), especially during a journey.
   • 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, →OCLC, page 12:
   • And than they com into a lowe medow that was full of swete floures, and there thes noble knyghtes bayted her horses. 1470–1485 (date produced), Thomas Malory, “Capitulum ix”, in [Le Morte Darthur], book V, [London: […] by William Caxton], published 31 July 1485, →OCLC; republished as H[einrich] Oskar Sommer, editor, Le Morte Darthur […], London: David Nutt, […], 1889, →OCLC:
   • Before I could move in it, however, I had to wait until we stopped to bait the flagging horses, which we did about noon at the head of the valley. 1894, Stanley J. Weyman, chapter VI, in Under the Red Robe:
4. (intransitive) Of a horse or other animal: to take food, especially during a journey.
   • [H]orses' playful neigh, / From rustic's whips, and plough, and waggon, free, / Baiting in careless freedom o'er the leas, / Or turn'd to knap each other at their ease. 1821, John Clare, “[Poems.] Sunday Walks.”, in The Village Minstrel, and Other Poems, volume II, London: […] [T. Miller] for Taylor and Hessey, […]; and E[dward] Drury, […], →OCLC, pages 105–106:
   • 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 […], →OCLC:
5. (intransitive) (of a person) To stop to take a portion of food and drink for refreshment during a journey.
   • 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:
   • 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, John Nichols, editors, The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, […], new edition, volume XVI, London: […] J[oseph] Johnson, […], published 1801, →OCLC, page 174:
   • 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[ohn] M[acock] for John Starkey […], →OCLC, 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 22 (Gregorian calendar), John Evelyn, “[Diary entry for 13 September 1677]”, 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, →OCLC, part I, page 433:

Forms

Synonyms

dog · pick at · devil · harass · hound · bug · persecute · bedevil · hound · bait · besiege · badger · harry · beset · badger · bullyrag · give someone grief · beleaguer · chevy · plague · pester · vex

bait en · VERB · etymology 3

Pronunciation

• (US) audio
• bāt
• /beɪt/

Etymology

French battre de l'aile or des ailes, to flap or flutter.

Meanings

1. (intransitive, obsolete) To flap the wings; to flutter as if to fly; or to hover, as a hawk when she stoops to her prey.
   • 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, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i]:

Forms

bait en · ADJ · etymology 4

Pronunciation

• (US) audio
• bāt
• /beɪt/

Etymology

Etymology unknown.

Meanings

1. (Multicultural-London-English) Obvious; blatant.
   • 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. (Multicultural-London-English) Well-known; famous; renowned.
   • My face is bait, I can't hide it 2017, “Bait Face”, in Godfather, performed by Richard "Wiley" Cowie and Ryan "Scratchy" Williams:

Forms

Deriveds

baitly

Synonyms

famous · undoubted · apparent · well-known · renowned · noted · decided · arrant · notable · res ipsa loquitur · bait · prima facie · splendent · plain as Salisbury · noticeable · conspicuous · straightforward · elucidate · patent · legendary · plain as porridge · manifest · plain as print · plain as day · eyely · glaring · intuitive · famed · plain as a pikestaff · storied · open-and-shut · fabled · recognizable · clear cut · known · ostensible · cut and dried · clear as a bell · evident · clear · proverbial · plain as a haystack · plain · irrecondite · obvious · iconic · clear as day · famoused · blatant · palpable · plain as Dunstable highway · crystal clear · noteworthy · notable · mere · undissembled · bait · plain as the nose on one's face