bait English · revision 15469

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1200|origins=ine-pro *bʰeyd-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /beɪt/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|bait]], [[bor|non|beita|t=to cause to bite, hunt; food, bait]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) the causative of [[m|non|bíta|t=to bite]], from [[gem-pro|*baitjaną]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) cognate with [[ang|bǣtan|t=to cause to bite]] and [[goh|beizen]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from [[ine-pro|*bʰeyd-|t=to split]] (see [[bite]]).^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To torment or persecute: about 1200 in Etymonline;^(Etymonline) to attack or torment with a dog about 1300, in ''Havelok the Dane'', in Barnhart.^(Barnhart 1988) The noun, food used to entice prey, is from about 1300.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Setting dogs on a chained animal, as in bear-baiting, was a popular medieval entertainment;^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) the figurative sense of tormenting a person is in fact attested earlier than the literal one.^(Etymonline) The figurative noun, an enticement, is from about 1400.^(Etymonline) From the 14th century bait also meant to feed horses on a journey, and a stop for rest and food.^(Hoad 1986)^(AHD) In northern English dialect it still means food, especially a packed lunch.^(Collins 2023)^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1200 – to torment.^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1300 – to set dogs on; bait for prey.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1400 – an enticement.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Food put on a hook or in a trap to attract fish or animals.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Something that entices; a [[lure]] or temptation.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(northern England)'' Food, especially a packed lunch.^(Collins 2023)^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To put bait on a hook or in a trap.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To torment or tease, especially with insults: ''bait the referee''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To set dogs on a chained animal for sport.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[baiter]]

+ * [[baitfish]]

+ * [[crowbait]]

+ * [[rebait]]

+ * [[unbait]]

+ * [[whitebait]]

+ * [[jailbait]]

+ * [[redbait]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[bite]]

+ * [[abet]]

+ * [[bate]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Etymonline quotes a satirical definition: bait is one animal impaled on a hook to torture a second for the amusement of a third.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}