bait

Plural: baits

Noun

anything that serves as an enticement
something used to lure fish or other animals into danger so they can be trapped or killed
Any substance, especially food, used in catching fish, or other animals, by alluring them to a hook, snare, trap, or net.
Food containing poison or a harmful additive to kill animals that are pests.
Anything which allures; something or someone used to lure or entice someone or something into doing something
Anything which allures; something or someone used to lure or entice someone or something into doing something
Something that lures or entices a specified group
A portion of food or drink, as a refreshment taken on a journey; also, a stop for rest and refreshment.
A portion of food or drink, as a refreshment taken on a journey; also, a stop for rest and refreshment.
A packed lunch - the bite to eat a worker took with them to eat
A portion of food or drink, as a refreshment taken on a journey; also, a stop for rest and refreshment.
A small meal taken mid-morning while farming.
A portion of food or drink, as a refreshment taken on a journey; also, a stop for rest and refreshment.
A miner's packed meal.
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.
A post intended to elicit a, usually strong or negative, reaction from others.

Verb

Verb Forms: baited, baiting, baits

To entice or lure, especially into a trap.
harass with persistent criticism or carping
lure, entice, or entrap with bait
attack with dogs or set dogs upon
To attract with bait; to entice.
To affix bait to a trap or a fishing hook or fishing line.
To lay baits in an environment to control pest species.
To target a pest species by laying baits.
To set dogs on (an animal etc.) to bite or worry; to attack with dogs, especially for sport.
To intentionally annoy, torment, or threaten by constant rebukes or threats; to harass.
To feed and water (a horse or other animal), especially during a journey.
Of a horse or other animal: to take food, especially during a journey.
(of a person) To stop to take a portion of food and drink for refreshment during a journey.
To flap the wings; to flutter as if to fly; or to hover, as a hawk when she stoops to her prey.

Adj

Obvious; blatant.
Well-known; famous; renowned.

Examples

attach bait to a hook
catch a few using bait
Netflix bait
Please stop posting bait, or I will have to mute you.
queerbait
sequel bait
She would often bait her opponent by leaving an open triple-word score.
to bait a bear with dogs
to bait a bull

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English bayte, bait, beite, from Old Norse beita (“food, bait”), from Proto-Germanic *baitō (“that which is bitten, bait”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰeyd- (“to cleave, split, separate”). Cognate with German Beize (“mordant, corrosive fluid; marinade”), Old English bāt (“that which can be bitten, food, bait”). Related to bite.

Synonyms

cod, come-on, decoy, hook, lure, rag, rally, razz, ride, sweetener, tantalise, tantalize, taunt, tease, twit, badger, bait, bedevil, beleaguer, beset, bug, chevy, give someone grief, harass, harry, hound, persecute, pester, pick at, plague, vex

Scrabble Score: 6

bait: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
bait: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
bait: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 7

bait: valid Words With Friends Word