bait

Etymology 1

From Middle English bayte, bait, beite, from Old Norse beita (“food, bait”), from Proto-Germanic *baitō (“that which is bitten, bait”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰeyd- (“to cleave, split, separate”). Cognate with German Beize (“mordant, corrosive fluid; marinade; hunting”), Old English bāt (“that which can be bitten, food, bait”). Related to bite.

noun

1. Any substance, especially food, used in catching fish, or other animals, by alluring them to a hook, snare, trap, or net.
   attach bait to a hook
   catch a few using bait
2. Food containing poison or a harmful additive to kill animals that are pests.
3. Anything which allures; something used to lure or entice someone or something into doing something
   One of the “girls” used in this way, Pamella Bordes, later spoke of being “part of an enormous group … used as sexual bait.” 7 June 2017, Adam Lusher, “Adnan Khashoggi: the 'whoremonger' whose arms deals funded a playboy life of decadence and 'pleasure wives'”, in The Independent, London
   1. (as the head of a compound) Something that lures or entices a specified group
      queerbait
      sequel bait
      Netflix bait
4. A portion of food or drink, as a refreshment taken on a journey; also, a stop for rest and refreshment.
   1. (Tyneside) A packed lunch.
   2. (East Anglia) A small meal taken mid-morning while farming.
   3. (Northern England) A miner's packed meal.
   4. A light or hasty luncheon.
5. (Internet slang) A post intended to get a rise out of others.
   Please stop posting bait, or I will have to mute you.

verb

1. (transitive) To attract with bait; to entice.
2. (transitive) To affix bait to a trap or a fishing hook or fishing line.

Etymology 2

From Middle English bayten, baiten, beiten, from Old Norse beita (“to bait, cause to bite, feed, hunt”), from Proto-Germanic *baitijaną (“to cause to bite, bridle”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰeyd- (“to cleave, split, separate”). Cognate with Icelandic beita (“to bait”), Swedish beta (“to bait, pasture, graze”), German beizen (“to cause to bite, bait”), Old English bǣtan (“to bait, hunt, bridle, bit”).

verb

1. (transitive) To set dogs on (an animal etc.) to bite or worry; to attack with dogs, especially for sport.
   to bait a bear with dogs;  to bait a bull
2. (transitive) To intentionally annoy, torment, or threaten by constant rebukes or threats; to harass.
3. (transitive, now rare) To feed and water (a horse or other animal), especially during a journey.
4. (intransitive) (of a horse or other animal) To take food, especially during a journey.
5. (intransitive) (of a person) To stop to take a portion of food and drink for refreshment during a journey.
   At Break of Day we arose, and after a short Repast march’d on till Noon, when we baited among some shady Trees near a Pond of Water […] 1743, Robert Drury, The Pleasant, and Surprizing Adventures of Mr. Robert Drury, during his Fifteen Years Captivity on the Island of Madagascar, London, page 62

Etymology 3

French battre de l'aile or des ailes, to flap or flutter.

verb

1. (obsolete, intransitive) To flap the wings; to flutter as if to fly; or to hover, as a hawk when she stoops to her prey.

Etymology 4

Etymology unknown.

adj

1. (MLE) Obvious; blatant.
   I've been at home all day / Cloning £50 notes, this is sick / But it's a bit bait / Cause all the serial numbers are the same / So I can't spend them in the same place 2008, “Power”, in Famous?, performed by Jamie "Jme" Adenuga and Tim Westwood
2. (MLE) Well-known; famous; renowned.
   My face is bait, I can't hide it 2017, “Bait Face”, in Godfather, performed by Richard "Wiley" Cowie and Ryan "Scratchy" Williams