BAIT

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

Anything which allures; a lure; enticement; temptation. Fairfax.

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

A light or hasty luncheon. Bait bug (Zoöl), a crustacean of the genus Hippa found burrowing in sandy beaches. See Anomura.

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

To give a portion of food and drink to, upon the road; as, to bait horses. Holland.

To furnish or cover with bait, as a trap or hook. A crooked pin . . . bailed with a vile earthworm. W. Irving.

To stop to take a portion of food and drink for refreshment of one's self or one's beasts, on a journey. Evil news rides post, while good news baits. Milton. My lord's coach conveyed me to Bury, and thence baiting aEvelyn.

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.