2bait verb
baits; bait·ed; bait·ing [+ obj] 1 : to put a piece of food on (a hook) or in (a trap) in order to attract and catch fish or animals
▪ She baited the mousetraps with pieces of cheese. = She used cheese to bait the traps. ▪ baiting hooks with live worms ▪ a baited hook/trap 2 : to try to make (someone) angry by using criticism or insults
▪ The interviewer kept baiting the politician by asking him whether he was lying. — see also race-baiting 3 : to use dogs to make (an animal, such as a bear or bull) angry or afraid — used in combination ▪ bear-baiting ▪ bull-baiting
▪ She baited the mousetraps with pieces of cheese. = She used cheese to bait the traps. ▪ baiting hooks with live worms ▪ a baited hook/trap
▪ The interviewer kept baiting the politician by asking him whether he was lying. — see also race-baiting
