bait (1 cf. “baiting-place” 2H6 V. i. 150; 3 first in S.)
1.
to set on dogs to bite and
worry (an animal, e.g. a bear, bull) 2H6 V. i. 148; (hence)
to harass, worry Tw.N. III. i.
132,
R2 IV. i. 238
“my wretchedness doth
bait myself,”
Mac. V. vii. 58 [viii. 29] “baited with the rabble's
curse.”
2.
intr. “bait at,” harass R3 I. iii. 109 (Qq)
“so taunted, scorn'd,
and baited at” (Ff “so baited, scorn'd and storm'd
at”).
3.
to entice with bait
(lit. and fig.)
Err. II. i. 94
“Do their gay vestments
his affections bait?,”
Mer.V. III. i. 57
“To bait fish
withal.”
