bait

²bait

noun

Definition of BAIT

1

a : something (as food) used in luring especially to a hook or trap b : a poisonous material placed where it will be eaten by harmful or objectionable animals

2

: lure, temptation

Examples of BAIT

1. cheese used for bait in mousetraps
2. Wait until the fish takes the bait.
3. a wide selection of lures and baits

Origin of BAIT

Middle English, from Old Norse beit pasturage & beita food; akin to Old English bītan to bite

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to BAIT

Synonyms: decoy, lure

Related Words: ambush, net, trap; hook, snare, troll; plug, scent, spinner, stool pigeon; appeal, attraction, call, draw, incentive, pull; enticement, seducement, seduction, temptation; entanglement, entrapment

Near Antonyms: repellent (also repellant)

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Hunting and Fishing Terms

chum, covert, creel, flense, pitfall, seine, skulk, spoor, trawl