noun / verb
bait
BAYT/beɪt/
Something used to lure a target into a desired response.
The worm serves as bait, drawing the fish toward the hook.
Etymology
The root means “to cause to bite”: bait was food that induced prey to bite at a hook or trap. This developed into the figurative sense of an enticement used to lure someone.
In context
this is a feral pig big saltwater crocs find these irresistible got to get the big chunk of bait up there
More examples
- The advertisement used a low price as bait.
- He refused to rise to her bait during the argument.
- The interviewer kept baiting the guest with insulting questions.
Forms
bait · baits · baited · baiting
Similar words
- lure
- Emphasizes attraction and can name an artificial fishing device.
- provocation
- Specifically aims to stir a reaction rather than draw a target nearer.