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.
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. t. [imp. & p. p. Baited;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Baiting.]
[OE. baiten, beitēn, to feed,
harass, fr. Icel. beita, orig., to cause to bite, fr. bīta. √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 (bāt),
n. [Icel. beita food, beit pasture, akin to AS.
bāt 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.
Hear it pronounced