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    Englishionary

    Bait

    (bat), n. [Icel. beita food, beit pasture, akin to AS. bat food, Sw. bete. See Bait, v. t.] 1. Any substance, esp. food, used in catching fish, or other animals, by alluring them to a hook, snare, inclosure, or net. 2. Anything which allures; a lure; enticement; temptation. Fairfax. 3. A portion of food or drink, as a refreshment taken on a journey; also a stop for rest and refreshment. 4. A light or hasty luncheon. Bait bug (Zoöl.), a crustacean of the genus Hippa found burrowing in sandy beaches. See Anomura.


    Bait, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Baited; p. pr. & vb. n. Baiting.] [OE. baiten, beiten, to feed, harass, fr. Icel. beita, orig., to cause to bite, fr. bita. rad.87. See Bite.] 1. To provoke and harass; esp., to harass or torment for sport; as to bait a bear with dogs; to bait a bull. 2. To give a portion of food and drink to, upon the road; as to bait horses. Holland. 3. To furnish or cover with bait, as a trap or hook. “A crooked pin … baited with a vile earthworm.
    W. Irving.”


    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. “Evil news rides post, while good news baits.
    Milton.” “My lord’s coach conveyed me to Bury, and thence baiting at Newmarket.
    Evelyn.”


    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.

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    • © 2011 Englishionary - Parts Based on Websters 1913 Public Domain Dictionary are free to use and for you to take. Updated by Elliot Steven Carruthers