bait

bait · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    Food or other substance used to attract and catch fish or animals.

  2. 2.

    Something intended to tempt or lure someone.

  3. 3.

    Put bait on a hook or in a trap.

  4. 4.

    Deliberately annoy, provoke, or tease someone.

  5. 5.

    [archaic]Harass or torment animals.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    take the bait — To be tricked or tempted.
  • •
    bait and switch — A deceptive practice of advertising one product and selling another.
  • •
    rise to the bait — To react to a provocation.
  • •
    clickbait — Online content designed to attract clicks.

Related words

See also: fishing, lure, tempt, trap
Synonyms: enticement, lure, temptation

Etymology

From Old Norse beita ("to cause to bite, to hunt"), from Proto-Germanic baitaną.