Middle English Dictionary Entry
bait n.
Entry Info
| Forms | bait n. Also beit. |
| Etymology | ON; cp. OI beita bait. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Bait for fish, fowl, or vermin; (b) a worm or insect to be used for bait.
Associated quotations
a
- (1391) Leet R.Norwich in Seld.Soc.573 : Johannes Storell assuetus est capere yongfry in Regia Ripa et vendere..pro bayte.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)3.956 : As the fisshere on his bait Sleth, whan he seth the fisshes faste.
- a1400(c1300) NHom.(1) Gosp.(Phys-E)p.12 : Cristes godhed the fend tok, Als fisce es tan wit bait and hoc.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)16931 : And als þe fisch right wit þe bait [Göt: wid a baite; Trin-C: wiþ bait] apon þe hok es tan.
- c1460(a1449) Lydg.Cock (Hrl 2255)123 : Bosard with botirflyes makith beytis for a crane.
- c1460(a1449) Lydg.Virtue (Hrl 2255)37 : The fissh for beit goth to the angilhook.
- c1450 Treat.Fish.(Yale 171)23 : For þe Trowte..In Apryle take þe same baytes.
- (1457-58) Acc.St.Andrew Hubbard in BMag.31246 : Paied .. for rattes beytte, ij s. ob.
- c1460 Of alle mennys (Dub 432)120/126 : Yit at þe last..þe fisshe drewe nere vnto þe bayte.
- c1475(c1450) Idley Instr.(Cmb Ee.4.37)1.231 : Þyn enemy..Lyeng at al howres in awayte, As a fysshe doith after his baite.
- a1500 PFulham (Jas 43)139 : Fysches and fowllys bayte such as men for hem do legge.
b
- c1450 Treat.Fish.(Yale 171)6 : How ȝe schall make ȝowr baytes brede wher ye schall fynde þem.
- c1450 Treat.Fish.(Yale 171)23 : In May take..a bayte þat bredyth on a pyne tre lefe.
2.
Fig. A lure or enticement.
Associated quotations
- a1400 Grete ferly (Roy 17.B.17)143 : Wickid spiritis..fisshen aboute men bothe nightus & dayes..And casten hokes to hom with lykande beyte, & so take þai men thurgh deceyte.
- c1450 In a valey (Lamb 853)55 : Þere my bodi haþ maad hir hertis baite, Quia amore langueo.
- c1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Tbr A.7)19254 : On myn [Satan's] hook..They ben I-cacchyd with the bayte.
- a1500 How GMan(1) (Cmb Ff.2.38)180 : Thys worlde ys but þe fendys beyte [vr. bayte].