/ beɪt; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun [ U , C ]
1.
food put on a hook to catch fish or in nets, traps, etc. to catch animals or birds :
The fish took the bait.
2.
a person or thing that is used to catch sb or to attract them, for example to make them do what you want
■ verb [ vn ]
1.
to place food on a hook, in a trap, etc. in order to attract or catch an animal :
He baited the trap with a piece of meat.
2.
to deliberately try to make sb angry by making cruel or insulting remarks
3.
-baiting (in compound nouns) the activity of attacking a wild animal with dogs :
bear-baiting
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old Norse beit pasture, food, beita to hunt or chase.