baitn.1
/beɪt/, U.S. /beɪt/ I. Food used to entice a prey.
1.
a. An attractive morsel of food placed on a hook or in a trap, in order to allure fish or other animals to seize it and be thereby captured.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > equipment > trap or snare > [noun] > bait
eesOE
baita1325
trap-bait1856
tie-up1895
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fishing-tackle > means of attracting fish > [noun] > bait
eesOE
baita1325
a1325 Metr. Hom. 12 Als fisce es tan wit bait and hoc.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 16931 Þe bait apon þe hok.
1444 J. Lydgate in T. Wright Polit. Poems & Songs (1859) II. 219 Bosard with botirflyes makith beytis for a crane.
a1639 Breton in E. Farr Sel. Poetry Reign Elizabeth (1845) I. 182 Wherein as hook within the Baight..Some hidden poyson lurking lyes.
1653 I. Walton Compl. Angler 53 Let your bait fall gently upon the water. View more context for this quotation
1836 H. Smith Tin Trumpet I. x 66 Bait—One animal impaled upon a hook, in order to torture a second, for the amusement of a third.
b. Worms, fish, etc., to be used for this purpose.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fishing-tackle > means of attracting fish > [noun] > bait > materials for
bait1496
paste1653
greaves1740
mackerel bait1866
1496 Treat. Fysshynge wyth Angle in Bk. St. Albans (rev. ed.) sig. hj How ye shall make your baytes brede where ye shall fynde theym: and how ye shall kepe theym.
1653 I. Walton Compl. Angler To Rdr. 7 With advise how to make the Fly, and keep the live baits . View more context for this quotation
1799 tr. Laboratory (ed. 6) II. x. 267 Some trouble..to keep the bait alive.
2. figurative. An enticement, allurement, temptation.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > motivation > attraction, allurement, or enticement > [noun] > one who or that which > that which
lurec1385
baitc1400
traina1425
allective1445
allurement1548
lodestone?1577
attractive1581
invites1615
magnetic1645
magnet1655
invitatory1666
track1672
glittering prize1713
catch1781
the rainbow's end1846
carrot1895
come-on1902
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting or baiting animals > animal baiting > [noun]
baitingc1300
baitc1400
beast-baiting1606
lugging1614
hank1785
c1400 MS. Cantab. Ff. ii. 38. [46/2] 54/2 Thys worlde ys but the fendys beyte.
1460 Pol. Rel. & L. Poems (1866) 155 My body I made hyr hertys baite.
1573 T. Tusser Points Huswifrie (new ed.) f. 12, in Fiue Hundreth Points Good Husbandry (new ed.) A dore without lock, is a baight [1577 baite] for a knaue.
1725 D. Defoe Compl. Eng. Tradesman I. vi. 71 The profits of trade are baits to the avaritious shop-keeper.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. 246 He considered titles and great offices as baits which could allure none but fools.
II. Food generally.† 3. Food, refreshment; esp. a feed for horses, or slight repast for travellers, upon a journey. Still dialect light refreshment taken between meals.† 5. figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > animal food > [noun] > fodder > fodder for horses
horsemeat1404
horse-bread1467
horse-loafc1468
bayard's bunc1520
garbage1526
bait1570
rack-meat1607
greaves1614
ray1656
gram1702
oat hay1843
oaten hay1891
the world > food and drink > food > meal > [noun] > light meal or snacks > for travellers
bait1570
scroggin1949
1570 P. Levens Manipulus Vocabulorum sig. Qivv/2 Bayt, refrigerium, refectio.
1573 T. Tusser tr. St. Bernard in Fiue Hundreth Points Good Husbandry (new ed.) f. 24v O thou fit bait for wormes.
1661 R. Lovell Πανζωορυκτολογια, sive Panzoologicomineralogia Isagoge sig. B8v When they [sc. serpents] devoure any great baite, they contract themselves.
1706 E. Ward Hudibras Redivivus I. xii. 24 Could (if she 'ad had her Will) have eat The Saddle Stuffing for a Bait.
1740 S. Richardson Pamela I. xxxi. 128 Stopping for a little Bait to the Horses.
1851 G. C. Greenwell Gloss. Terms Coal Trade (ed. 2) Bait, provision taken by a pitman to his work.
1883 Harper's Mag. Apr. 655/1 Afternoon ‘bait,’ or lunch [in Sussex].
4. A halt for refreshment in the course of a journey; a stoppage for rest.Scotch, Welsh bait: see the first element.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > ceasing > temporary cessation of activity or operation > [noun] > (a) respite
spalea1250
lithec1300
respitec1330
sabbath1398
vacationc1425
respetta1450
respectc1450
repose?1549
intermission1576
bait1580
sob1593
respiration1611
vacation1614
suspension1645
relaxation1728
relax1733
society > travel > aspects of travel > a journey > [noun] > break in a journey
resting?a1425
arresta1500
bait1580
alto1591
halt1598
station1604
stop1650
stoppage1840
noon halt1843
stop-off1869
lay-over1873
stop-over1881
water stop1896
overnight1936
1580 J. Lyly Euphues & his Eng. (new ed.) f. 14 This merry winde will immediatly bring vs to an easy bayte.
1594 T. Nashe Vnfortunate Traveller sig. C2v To haue gone to heauen without a baite.
1633 P. Fletcher Elisa 115 in Purple Island Heav'nly fires..Whose motion is their bait; whose rest is restlesse giring.
1809 N. Pinkney Trav. South of France 80 They make a stage of thirty miles without a bait.
a. Refreshment; a lawyer's ‘refresher’.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > payment for labour or service > fee for services rendered > [noun] > fee of professional person > barrister's fee
bait1578
retaining fee1659
refreshing fee1697
retainer1770
refresher1796
refresher fee1818
1578 J. Lyly Euphues f. 87v A pleasant companion is a bayte in a iourney.
1603 J. Florio tr. M. de Montaigne Ess. ii. xii. 329 Have you paid him [sc. the Lawyer] well, have you given him a good baite or fee..?
b. A hasty meal like a traveller's, a snack. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > meal > [noun] > light meal or snacks
nuncheonc1260
morsela1382
refection?a1439
mixtumc1490
bever1500
banquet1509
collation1525
snatch1570
beverage1577
a little something1577
anders-meat1598
four-hours1637
watering1637
refreshment1639
snap1642
luncheona1652
crib1652
prandicle1656
munchin1657
baita1661
unch1663
afternooning1678
whet1688
nacket1694
merenda1740
rinfresco1745
bagging?1746
snack1757
coffee1774
second breakfast1775
nummit1777
stay-stomach1800
damper1804
eleven o'clock1805
noonshine1808
by-bit1819
morning1819
four1823
four o'clock1825
lunch1829
stay-bit1833
picnic meal1839
elevens1849
Tommy1864
picnic tea1869
dinnerette1872
merienda1880
elevenses1887
light bite1887
soldier's supper1893
mug-up1902
tray1914
café complet1933
nosha1941
namkeen1942
snax1947
snackette1952
chaat1954
ploughman's lunch1957
munchie1959
playlunch1960
short-eat1962
lite bite1965
munchie1971
ploughman1975
aperitivo2002
a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) Northampt. 285 He rather took a bate, than made a meal at the Inns of Court, whilst he studied the Laws therein.
?1666 J. Evelyn Let. in Diary & Corr. (1859) III. 193 I now and then get a bait at philosophy.
III. Senses relating to baiting or worrying other animals by dogs.
6. The act of setting dogs to worry other animals; baiting; also (obsolete) chasing with dogs.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > hunting with hounds > [noun]
baitingc1300
bait?a1500
hounding1854
c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) l. 1461 Þen, brayn-wod for bate, on burneȝ he [the boar] raseȝ.]
a1500 R. Henryson tr. Æsop Fables: Fox, Wolf, & Cadger l. 2058 in Poems (1981) 79 At the nixt bait, in faith, ȝe sall be flane.
1570 P. Levens Manipulus Vocabulorum sig. Qivv/2 Bayt of a beare, vrsiprelium... Bayt of a bul, tauri venatio.
Compounds
C1. attributive and in other combinations, as bait-can, bait-fish, bait-fisher, bait-fishing, bait-gatherer, bait-kettle, bait-tackle.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fishing-tackle > means of attracting fish > [noun] > bait > container for holding bait
bait-kettle1799
the world > animals > fish > class Osteichthyes or Teleostomi > order Salmoniformes (salmon or trout) > superorder Ostariophysi or order Cypriniformes > [noun] > suborder Cyprinoidei > family Cyprinidae (minnows and carps) > genus Leuciscus > leuciscus rutilus (roach)
roacha1425
red fish1763
bait-fish1799
skelly1846
pearlfish1905
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > type or method of fishing > [noun] > using bait
bait-fishing1832
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fisher > [noun] > using bait
bait-fisher1835
wormer1891
dapper1920
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fishing-tackle > [noun] > kind of
prick-tackle1463
ledger-tackle1653
fly-tackle1834
otter1834
bait-tackle1835
paternoster tackle1852
spinning-tackle1856
otter-line1862
traveller1864
skate1882
sea-ledger1887
otter1898
otter-board1901
ripper1925
salmon tackle-
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fisher > [noun] > in charge of bait > collecting bait
bait-gatherer1842
trotter1864
wormer1880
1799 tr. Laboratory (ed. 6) II. x. 267 By frequently dipping your bait-kettle in the water.
1820 Western Rev. (Kentucky) II. 241 Rutilus compressus, a small fish..called Fall-fish, Bait-fish, Minny, etc.
1832 Chambers' Edinb. Jrnl. 14 Apr. 87/2 The same observations apply..to bait fishing.
1835 Chambers's Edinb. Jrnl. 3 Jan. 390/3 Some bait-fishers..use the smaller sorts [of hooks];..The bait-tackle ought to be loaded..with a pellet or two of lead.
1842 Johnston in Hist. Berwickshire Naturalists' Club 2 x. 36 The bait-gatherer, for picking them from the rocks..has 8d. per day.
1952 E. Hemingway Old Man & Sea 35 No flying fish broke the surface and there was no scattering of bait fish.
C2.
bait-land n. (see quot.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sleeping and waking > refreshment or invigoration > [noun] > place where one is refreshed
recreation1440
breathing place1591
bait-land1725
1725 D. Defoe New Voy. round World i. 134 A Bait Land, or Port of Refreshment.
bait-poke n. a bag for holding a miner's ‘bait’.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > container for food > [noun] > container for provisions
provision basket1770
sandwich case1815
tommy bag1843
lunchbox1862
bait-poke1863
teabag1898
brown bag1947
tiffin-carrier1960
tea-box1972
1863 J. P. Robson Songs Bards of Tyne 271 And queer things behint them like pitmen's bait pokes.
Draft additions September 2013
bait layer n. (a) a person who lays bait (now rare); (b) Australian slang (humorous and depreciative) a cook, esp. a camp or station cook (now chiefly historical).
ΚΠ
1913 Times of India 8 Nov. The prepared bait, when ready for use, was..handed out in suitable quantities to a small army of bait-layers.
1943 S. J. Baker Pop. Dict. Austral. Slang (ed. 2) 7 Baitlayer, a station cook.
1975 B. Foley Shearers' Poems 11 The ‘Babbling Brook’ [sc. cook] was dead. He'd not been much of a ‘bait layer’. But not a bad sort of a bloke.
1993 Austral. Post 23 Jan. 37/4 Bush cooks have a terrible reputation... The worst of the cooks were also called ‘baitlayers’.
2004 M. E. Snodgrass Encycl. Kitchen Hist. (2005) 138 Among European settlers of Australia, bush cooks were sometimes jokingly referred to as ‘bait layers’, named after the poisoners of the rabbits that overran the wild.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1885; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
baitbaten.2
/beɪt/, U.S. /beɪt/ slang.
A fit of bad temper; a rage.‘“He was in an awful bait” was common in the Clapham Grammar School, 1857.’—A. L. Mayhew in Eng. Dial. Dict. at Bate n.3
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > anger > manifestation of anger > [noun] > fit(s) or outburst(s) of anger
wratha1200
wrethea1400
hatelc1400
angerc1425
braida1450
fumea1529
passion1530
fustian fume1553
ruff1567
pelt1573
spleen1590
blaze1597
huff1599
blustera1616
dog-flawa1625
overboiling1767
explosion1769
squall1807
blowout1825
flare-up1837
fit1841
bust-up1842
wax1854
Scot1859
pelter1861
ructions1862
performance1864
outfling1865
rise1877
detonation1878
flare-out1879
bait1882
paddy1894
paddywhack1899
wingding1927
wing-dinger1933
eppie1987
1882 ‘F. Anstey’ Vice Versâ (ed. 4) iii. 48 It would put him in no end of a bait.
1899 E. Phillpotts Human Boy 95 I've just left Milly, and she's in a frightful bate.
1899 R. Kipling Stalky & Co. 152 ‘What a bait you're in!’ said Stalky.
1899 R. Kipling Stalky & Co. 205 I got in no end of a bait.
1950 A. Buckeridge Jennings goes to School ii. 28 ‘Old Wilkie's pretty ozard,’ said Temple, twirling a sock round his head autogyrically..‘and when he's in a rare bate, he's been known to touch ozard cubed.’
1953 E. Taylor Sleeping Beauty vii. 134 Flying into a bate, as we used to say at school.
Derivatives
ˈbaity adj. (also batey)
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > anger > irascibility > ill humour > [adjective] > in an ill humour
maltalenta1578
in a jeer1579
in suds1611
sullen-sick1614
in the pouts1615
out of sorts1621
cross1639
off the hooks1662
huff1714
sulkinga1777
as cross as a bear1838
sore-headed1844
sore-head1862
baity1921
1921 S. Thompson Rough Crossing ii. 86 Jolly lucky the C.O. didn't notice it yesterday—he gets ‘baity’ on these occasions.
1925 Chambers's Jrnl. 838/1 Now I must be going, or else dad'll be baity with me.
1946 B. Marshall George Brown's Schooldays 66 You'll make me batey if you say rotten caddish things like that.
1954 P. H. Johnson Impossible Marriage 11 I'd better roll the damned thing in or Mater will be batey.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1933; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
baitv.
/beɪt/, U.S. /beɪt/ I. To cause to bite other creatures.† 1. † b. figurative. To set on, incite, exasperate. Cf. abait v.
a. transitive. To set on (a dog) to bite or worry.(Cf. the similar construction in bate v.1).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > make an attack upon [verb (transitive)] > cause or incite to attack > spec an animal (usually dog)
sleata1225
baita1375
slatea1400
shout1888
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 11 Þe herd had wiþ him an hound..forto bayte on his bestes wanne þai to brode went.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > motivation > motivate [verb (transitive)] > incite or instigate
stirc897
putOE
sputc1175
prokec1225
prickc1230
commovec1374
baitc1378
stingc1386
movea1398
eager?a1400
pokec1400
provokea1425
tollc1440
cheera1450
irritec1450
encourage1483
incite1483
harden1487
attice1490
pricklea1522
to set on1523
incense1531
irritate1531
animate1532
tickle1532
stomach1541
instigate1542
concitea1555
upsteer1558
urge1565
instimulate1570
whip1573
goad1579
raise1581
to set upa1586
to call ona1592
incitate1597
indarec1599
alarm1602
exstimulate1603
to put on1604
feeze1610
impulse1611
fomentate1613
emovec1614
animalize1617
stimulate1619
spura1644
trinkle1685
cite1718
to put up1812
prod1832
to jack up1914
goose1934
c1378 J. Wyclif De Off. Past. in Wks. (1880) 437 Prelatis..baytiþ a pariȝshen aȝenus þe persoun.
2.
a. To set on dogs to bite and worry (an animal, such as the bear, boar, bull, badger, etc., usually chained or confined for this purpose), to attack with dogs for sport; formerly, also, to hunt or chase with dogs.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > hunting with hounds > hunt with hounds [verb (transitive)]
baita1300
hound1528
dog1591
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting or baiting animals > animal baiting > bait [verb (transitive)]
sleatc1000
baita1300
luga1627
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting or baiting animals > animal baiting > bait [verb (transitive)] > with dogs
sleatc1000
baita1300
slate1684
a1300 Havelok 1840 And shoten on him, so don on bere Dogges..Thanne men doth the bere beyte.
c1400 (?c1380) Cleanness (1920) l. 55 My boles & my borez arn bayted & slayne.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 29 Beyton wyth howndys, berys, bolys, or other lyke, canibus agitare.
1594 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 v. i. 146 Are these thy beares? weele bayte them soone.
1606 P. Holland tr. Suetonius Hist. Twelve Caesars 120 There was a wild bore put foorth into the open shew-place for to be baited.
1801 J. Strutt Glig-gamena Angel-ðeod iii. vi. 217 The cruel diversion of baiting a horse with dogs.
b. figurative. To cause (a person) to be molested, harassed, or persecuted (with).
ΚΠ
1642 T. Fuller Holy State i. iii. 9 Such husbands as bait the mistris with her maids.
1655 Triall I. Penruddock 4 Sir, You have put me in a bears skin, and now you will bait me with a witnesse.
c. (in sense of 4, but retaining some idea of intermediate agency, as in 2b.)
ΚΠ
1555 W. Waterman tr. J. Boemus Fardle of Facions ii. xi. 250 Thei reuile him, and baite him with shames and reproche.
1659 Godfrey in T. Burton Diary (1828) IV. 347 It was a breach of privilege to bait you with those interrogations.
1778 S. Johnson in J. Boswell Life Johnson (1831) IV. 124 I will not be baited with what and why.
3.
a. To attack with endeavour to bite and tear, as dogs attack a chained or confined animal (cf. 2).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > make an attack upon [verb (transitive)] > attack (of animal)
to venture on (also uponc1528
bait1570
to go at ——1675
tack1720
to go for ——1838
sick1845
aggress1882
1570 J. Foxe Actes & Monumentes (rev. ed.) I. 72/1 Attalus..was baited again of the beastes.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. xii. sig. M4 As chained beare, whom cruell dogs doe bait.
1885 N.E.D. at Bait Mod. They set on several dogs to bait the badger.
b. absol.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > make attack [verb (intransitive)] > specifically of animals
baitc1430
c1430 Hymns to Virg. (1867) 77 Helle houndis berken and baite.
a1549 A. Borde Fyrst Bk. Introd. Knowl. (1870) 187 Kur dogges, For men shyns they wyl ly in wayte; It is a good sport to se them so to bayte.
1735 W. Somervile Chace iv. 332 Raving he foams, and howls, and barks, and bates.
4. † b. intransitive with at (in same sense). Obsolete.
a. figurative. To persecute or harass with persistent attacks (a person more or less unable to escape); to worry or torment in an exasperating manner, esp. from a wanton or malicious desire to inflict pain.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > state of being harassed > harass [verb (transitive)]
tawc893
ermec897
swencheOE
besetOE
bestandc1000
teenOE
baitc1175
grieve?c1225
war?c1225
noyc1300
pursuec1300
travailc1300
to work (also do) annoyc1300
tribula1325
worka1325
to hold wakenc1330
chase1340
twistc1374
wrap1380
cumbera1400
harrya1400
vexc1410
encumber1413
inquiet1413
molest?a1425
course1466
persecutec1475
trouble1489
sturt1513
hare1523
hag1525
hale1530
exercise1531
to grate on or upon1532
to hold or keep waking1533
infest1533
scourge1540
molestate1543
pinch1548
trounce1551
to shake upa1556
tire1558
moila1560
pester1566
importune1578
hunt1583
moider1587
bebait1589
commacerate1596
bepester1600
ferret1600
harsell1603
hurry1611
gall1614
betoil1622
weary1633
tribulatea1637
harass1656
dun1659
overharry1665
worry1671
haul1678
to plague the life out of1746
badger1782
hatchel1800
worry1811
bedevil1823
devil1823
victimize1830
frab1848
mither1848
to pester the life out of1848
haik1855
beplague1870
chevy1872
obsede1876
to get on ——1880
to load up with1880
tail-twist1898
hassle1901
heckle1920
snooter1923
hassle1945
to breathe down (the back of) (someone's) neck1946
to bust (a person's) chops1953
noodge1960
monster1967
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > make an attack upon [verb (transitive)] > persecute
seekc825
baitc1175
war?c1225
pursuec1300
chase1340
course1466
persecutea1475
suea1500
pickc1550
pursuit1563
prosecute1588
exagitate1602
dragoon1689
harass1788
martyr1851
dragonnade1881
witch-hunt1919
vamp1970
c1175 Ormulum (Burchfield transcript) l. 10171 Þise puplicaness..durrstenn beȝȝtenn menn Forr æþelike gillte.
c1400 Rom. Rose 1612 Folk of grettist wit Ben soone caught heere & awayted; Withouten respite ben they baited.
1631 R. Bolton Instr. Right Comf. Affl. Consciences 168 God must let loose his Law, Sinne, Conscience, and Satan to baite us.
1751 S. Johnson Rambler No. 176. ⁋4 The diversion of baiting an author has the sanction of all ages.
1834 T. B. Macaulay William Pitt in Ess. (1854) I. 301 The new Secretary of State had been so unmercifully baited by the Paymaster of the Forces.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > harm or detriment > hostile action or attack > make attack [verb (intransitive)] > persecute
bait1579
witch-hunt1919
witch-hunt1935
1579 L. Tomson tr. J. Calvin Serm. Epist. S. Paule to Timothie & Titus 956/2 Why are they so alwayes bayting at me?
1606 T. Dekker Newes from Hell sig. D4v Bayted by whole kennels of yelping watermen.
1679 tr. Trag. Hist. Jetzer 9 The Fathers all this while were baiting at him.
II. To cause a creature to bite for its own refreshment; to feed.† 8. † b. figurative of the eyes: To feast.
5. transitive. To give food and drink to (a horse or other beast), esp. when upon a journey; to feed.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > providing or receiving food > feeding animals > [verb (transitive)]
baitc1400
servea1475
foddera1500
refetea1500
maintain1576
provend1581
provender1584
put1620
meal1630
stall-feed1763
feed1818
board1875
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. xxii. 243 While that [he] reste him, And bayte his Dromedarie or his hors.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xiii. 589 Than lichtit thai..Till bayt thar horss.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. i. sig. A7v The Sunne..At night doth baite his steedes the Ocean waues emong.
1697 Countess D'Aunoy's Trav. (1706) 47 And stop at the Bank of some River, where the Mule-Drivers bate their Mules.
1799 J. Robertson Gen. View Agric. Perth 200 You have this second crop of clover..to bait your cows.
1858 W. M. Thackeray Virginians x. 79 Whilst their horses were baited, they entered the public room.
6. reflexive and intransitive. Said of horses or other beasts: To take food, to feed, esp. at a stage of a journey.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > eating > eating by animals > feed (of animals) [verb (intransitive)]
baitc1386
feeda1387
relievec1475
victual1577
(to be) on the feed1867
the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > eating > eating by animals > feed (of animals) [verb (reflexive)]
baita1500
c1386 G. Chaucer Sir Thopas 202 By him baytith his destrer Of herbes fyne and goode.
1394 P. Pl. Crede 375 Þey ben digne as dich water þat dogges in bayteþ.
a1500 (?a1400) Sir Torrent of Portyngale (1887) l. 1553 Vnbrydelid his stede And let hym bayte hym on the ground.
?1523 J. Fitzherbert Bk. Husbandry f. xiiii In lodinge of hay or corne the catell is alway etinge or betyng.
1832 Baroness Bunsen in A. J. C. Hare Life & Lett. Baroness Bunsen (1879) I. ix. 384 An osteria..at which our horses were to bait.
7.
a. intransitive. Of travellers: To stop at an inn, originally to feed the horses, but later also to rest and refresh themselves; hence, to make a brief stay or sojourn.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabiting temporarily > [verb (intransitive)] > at the house of another, an inn, etc.
gesten?c1225
innc1390
host?c1450
bait1477
to be (or lie) at hosta1500
hostela1500
sojourn1573
to take up1607
guest?1615
to set upa1689
to keep up1704
to put up1706
lodge1749
room1809
hotel1889
dig1914
motel1961
1477 W. Caxton tr. R. Le Fèvre Hist. Jason (1913) 49 They cam for to bayte in the logging wher her frende Iason had logged.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xiii. 599 A litill quhile thai baitit [1489 Adv. Baytyt] thar.
1577 R. Stanyhurst Treat. Descr. Irelande ii. f. 5v/1, in R. Holinshed Chron. I The caue or denne, wherin S. Paul is sayd to haue bayted or soiorned.
1660 S. Pepys Diary 24 Feb. (1970) I. 66 At Puckrige we baited. Where we had a loin of mutton fried.
1781 R. B. Sheridan Trip to Scarborough i. ii To bait here a few days longer, to recover the fatigue of his journey.
1874 J. L. Motley Life John of Barneveld I. iv. 179 They set forth on their journey—stopping in the middle of the day to bait.
b. figurative.
ΚΠ
1639 T. Fuller Hist. Holy Warre iii. xxix. 161 A Prince..onely baiteth at learning, and maketh not his profession to lodge in.
1671 J. Milton Samson Agonistes 1538 For evil news rides post, while good news baits . View more context for this quotation
1822 C. Lamb in London Mag. Mar. 283/2 Trace it [sc. the sentiment]..—baiting at this town—stopping to refresh at t'other village.
a. intransitive (and reflexive). To feed, take nourishment.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > eating > eat [verb (intransitive)]
eatc825
to break breadeOE
baitc1386
feeda1387
to take one's repast?1490
to take repast1517
repast1520
peck?1536
diet1566
meat1573
victual1577
graze1579
manger1609
to craw it1708
grub1725
scoff1798
browse1818
provender1819
muckamuck1853
to put on the nosebag1874
refect1882
restaurate1882
nosh1892
tucker1903
to muck in1919
scarf1960
snack1972
the world > food and drink > food > consumption of food or drink > eating > eat [verb (reflexive)]
repasta1470
bait1633
fat1679
c1386 G. Chaucer Man of Law's Tale 368 On many a sory meel now may she bayte.
a1400 Sir Perc. 187 A tryppe of gayte [= goats], With mylke of thame for to bayte To hir lyves fode.
1633 P. Fletcher Purple Island viii. xlv. 118 So fisher waits To bait himself with fish, his hook And fish with baits.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > seeing or looking > see [verb (intransitive)] > stare or gaze > of eyes
baitc1374
stellc1817
c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde i. 193 If knyght or squyer..lete his eyen bayte On eny woman.
1632 G. Fletcher Christs Victorie (ed. 2) ii. v If he stood still, their eyes upon him baited.
III. To provide with a bait, offer a bait to. [Probably a later independent formation on the noun.]
9. figurative.1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. Matt. iv. 8 (R.) His hooke bayted with ye enticement of vayne glory.1726 D. Defoe Polit. Hist. Devil ii. vi. 275 He baited his Hook with the City of Milan.1820 W. Scott Monastery II. viii. 255 Baited thy tongue with falsehood.
a. transitive. To furnish (a hook, trap) with a bait.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > type or method of fishing > [verb (transitive)] > bait a hook
baita1400
busk1685
rebait1686
the world > food and drink > hunting > hunt [verb (transitive)] > trap > bait a trap
bait1556
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Gött.) l. 13285 Quiles þai þair lines war baitand.
1495 Trevisa's Bartholomeus De Proprietatibus Rerum (de Worde) xviii. cxv. sig. hhiv/1 Fysshe hokys ben bayted [a1398 BL Add. y-ased] wyth suche wormes in stede of bayte.
1556 J. Heywood Spider & Flie lxix. 43 This trap..for spiders is baighted.
1663 S. Butler Hudibras: First Pt. i. i. 29 Cheese or Bacon..To bait a Mouse-trap.
1725 E. Fenton in A. Pope et al. tr. Homer Odyssey I. iv. 499 My absent mates..Bait the barb'd steel.
b. absol. (literal and figurative)
ΚΠ
1753 Chambers's Cycl. Suppl. (at cited word) For cod they bait with herring.
1863 C. C. Clarke Shakespeare-characters ix. 218 She therefore baited for, and caught her prey.
10. To lay (a place) with bait, so as to attract the prey.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > hunt [verb (transitive)] > bait a place
bait1623
1623 Althorp MS. in J. N. Simpkinson Washingtons Introd. 44 The ratcatcher for a coter's wages for bating the house.
1665 R. Boyle Occas. Refl. iv. xiv. sig. Ff6v He had liberally Baited the place over-night with Corn, as well as Worms.
1880 F. Francis Bk. Angling (ed. 5) i. 33 When once the place has been baited.
11. To offer bait to; to allure, entice, tempt.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > snare, trap, entanglement > entrap, ensnare [verb (transitive)]
shrenchc897
beswike971
betrapa1000
bewindOE
undernimc1175
undertakec1175
bisayc1200
beguile?c1225
catchc1225
beginc1250
biwilea1275
tele?a1300
enginec1300
lime13..
umwrithea1340
engrin1340
oblige1340
belimec1350
enlacec1374
girnc1375
encumber138.
gnarec1380
enwrap1382
briguea1387
snarl1387
upbroid1387
trap1390
entrikea1393
englue1393
gildera1400
aguilec1400
betraisec1400
embrygec1400
snare1401
lacea1425
maska1425
begluec1430
marl1440
supprise?c1450
to prey ona1500
attrap1524
circumvene1526
entangle1526
tangle1526
entrap1531
mesh1532
embrake1542
crawl1548
illaqueate1548
intricate1548
inveigle1551
circumvent1553
felter1567
besnare1571
in trick1572
ensnare1576
overcatch1577
underfong1579
salt1580
entoil1581
comprehend1584
windlassa1586
folda1592
solicit1592
toil1592
bait1600
beset1600
engage1603
benet1604
imbrier1605
ambush1611
inknot1611
enmesha1616
trammela1616
fool1620
pinion1621
aucupate1630
fang1637
surprise1642
underreacha1652
trepan1656
ensnarl1658
stalk1659
irretiate1660
coil1748
nail1766
net1803
to rope in1840
mousetrap1870
spider1891
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice iii. i. 49 His flesh, what's that good for? Shyl. To baite fish with all. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) ii. i. 93 Doe their gay vestments his affections baite ? View more context for this quotation
1865 Dixon Holy Land I. 173 Just as the harvests of Kent and Mercia used to bait the Saxon vikings.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1885; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.1a1325
n.21882v.c1175- be broiling
- be brought into love's dance
- be buddies with
- be buddy-buddies with
- be buddybuddies with
- be buds with
- be built for comfort, not for speed
- be built like
- be bumping along the bottom
- be buried in woollen
- be burnt out
- be bursting
- be busting
- be busy enough
- be busy to do
- be busy with
- be butt-fucked
- be buttfucked
- be by the ears
- be by the lugs
- be by way of
- be by with it
- be called to one's reward
- be called to the bar
- be called within the bar