flamebait en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- (US) audio
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *bʰel-der. Proto-Italic *flagmā Latin flammula Old French flamble Old French flambe Proto-Italic *-āzi ▲ Latin -ereinflu. Latin -āre Old French -er Old French flamberbor. Middle English flawmen English flame 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 English -bait English flamebait From flame + -bait (manipulation to elicit a particular response).
Meanings
- (Internet, dated, uncountable) Content in an online forum, such as a newsgroup, with the intent of provoking anger, resulting in flames and sometimes flame wars.