bait

/ˈbāt/

Middle English, from Old Norse beita; akin to Old English bǣtan to bait, bītan to bite

verb

  1. to persecute or exasperate with unjust, malicious, or persistent attacks : to try to make angry with criticism or insults

  2. tease

  3. to harass (a chained animal, such as a bear) with dogs usually for sport

bait minority groups

bait badger heckle hector chivy hound mean to harass by efforts to break down. bait implies wanton cruelty or delight in persecuting a helpless victim. badger implies pestering so as to drive a person to confusion or frenzy.

noun

  1. something (such as food) used in luring especially to a hook or trap

  2. a poisonous material placed where it will be eaten by harmful or objectionable animals

  3. lure, temptation

using worms for bait

noun

  1. a sales tactic in which a customer is attracted by the advertisement of a low-priced item but is then encouraged to buy a higher-priced one

  2. the ploy of offering a person something desirable to gain favor (such as political support) then thwarting expectations with something less desirable