BAIT
Bait, n. Etym: [Icel. beita food, beit pasture, akin to AS. bat food,
Sw. bete. See Bait, v. i.]
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
Bait, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Baited; p. pr. & vb. n. Baiting.] Etym:
[OE. baiten, beit, to feed, harass, fr. Icel. beita, orig. to cause
to bite, fr. bita. sq. root87. 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 . . . bailed with a vile earthworm. W. Irving.
BAIT
Bait, v. i.