bait

Noun · Verb

Synonyms: come-on hook lure sweetener decoy tease razz rag cod tantalize tantalise taunt

WordNet 3.0

Noun (2)

anything that serves as an enticementSynonyms: come-on hook lure sweetener
something used to lure fish or other animals into danger so they can be trapped or killedSynonyms: decoy lure

Verb (3)

harass with persistent criticism or carping“The children teased the new teacher”“Don't ride me so hard over my failure”“His fellow workers razzed him when he wore a jacket and tie”Synonyms: tease razz rag cod tantalize tantalise taunt twit rally ride
lure, entice, or entrap with bait
attack with dogs or set dogs upon

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Bait \Bait\ (b[=a]t), v. i. [F. battre de l'aile (or des ailes), to flap or flutter. See Batter, v. t.] 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. [1913 Webster]

Bait \Bait\ (b[=a]t), v. i. To stop to take a portion of food and drink for refreshment of one's self or one's beasts, on a journey. [1913 Webster]

Evil news rides post, while good news baits. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

My lord's coach conveyed me to Bury, and thence baiting at Newmarket. --Evelyn. [1913 Webster]

Bait \Bait\ (b[=a]t), n. [Icel. beita food, beit pasture, akin to AS. b[=a]t food, Sw. bete. See Bait, v. t.]

1.Any substance, esp. food, used in catching fish, or other animals, by alluring them to a hook, snare, inclosure, or net. [1913 Webster]

2.Anything which allures; a lure; enticement; temptation. --Fairfax. [1913 Webster]

3.A portion of food or drink, as a refreshment taken on a journey; also, a stop for rest and refreshment. [1913 Webster]

4.A light or hasty luncheon. [1913 Webster]

Bait bug (Zool.), a crustacean of the genus Hippa found burrowing in sandy beaches. See Anomura. [1913 Webster]

Bait \Bait\ (b[=a]t), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Baited; p. pr. & vb. n. Baiting.] [OE. baiten, beit[=e]n, to feed, harass, fr. Icel. beita, orig., to cause to bite, fr. b[imac]ta. [root]87. See Bite.] [1913 Webster]

1.To provoke and harass; esp., to harass or torment for sport; as, to bait a bear with dogs; to bait a bull. [1913 Webster]

2.To give a portion of food and drink to, upon the road; as, to bait horses. --Holland. [1913 Webster]

3.To furnish or cover with bait, as a trap or hook. [1913 Webster]

A crooked pin . . . baited with a vile earthworm.— W. Irving.[1913 Webster]

The Devil's Dictionary

BAIT, n. A preparation that renders the hook more palatable. The best kind is beauty.