Dictionary

bear bait en · NOUN

Meanings

1. (countable, uncountable) Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see bear, bait.
2. (countable, slang, uncountable) A car or truck that is speeding and is likely to attract the attention of the highway patrol.
   • “Let her be the bear bait in that bright red Mustang Cobra,” Jim said with a grin. 2005, Lee Sweetapple, VETTE HEAD'S NOT DEAD, →ISBN, page 77:
   • To them, it's good fun to respond to any request for Smokey reports with clean and green, then watch speeding adults become bear bait. 1976, Evan Herbert, The Best Book on CB, →ISBN, page 33:
   • "Ya haah, there goes our bear bait!" Ricky shouted as he stepped on the throttle to move past 75. "Bear bait?" "Yeah, she'll drive point for us, in case there's any smokies — any patrol — ahead." 2006, Jerry W. Engler, Just Folks: Earthy Tales of the Prairie Heartland - Volume 1, →ISBN, page 34:
3. (alt-of, alternative, countable, uncountable) Alternative form of bearbait.
   alt of bearbait
   • There was also a game representing a bear bait. 1886, Cheshire Notes and Queries - Volume 6, page 260:
   • Bear baits were especially popular with the Royals during Christmas holidays and Whitsuntide, the bears and dogs being brought to the Court wherever it might be in the country. 1994, Michael Billett, A History of English Country Sports, page 26:
   • We have, at present, no gaines resembling those of the ancients ; except now and then a bull or a bear bait, and this would be a valuable additon to the list of our refined amusements. “ 1812, The Literary Panorama - Volume 11, page 295:
   • Plague was another reason why the authorities were concerned about gatherings such as bear baits. Many bear baits seem to have taken place at alehouses, and attracted large numbers of people. 1995, Transactions of Lancashire and Cheshire Antiquarian Society:

Forms