bait

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. 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. 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 aEvelyn. 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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), United States public domain. See methodology for full licensing detail. Word validity for game play may differ from any official game dictionary.