Bate vs. Bait — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 1, 2024
Bate involves reducing intensity or eagerness, while bait refers to a lure used to attract or entice, particularly in fishing or trapping.
Difference Between Bate and Bait
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Bate is often used in the context of reducing the intensity of something or lessening eagerness, as in "bate your enthusiasm". Bait, on the other hand, is commonly used to describe something used to attract prey, like in fishing or trapping.
Bate can also imply a temporary holding back of one's feelings or expressions, such as in "to bate one's breath in anticipation". Whereas bait is a tangible object or substance used to lure or entice, often implying a strategy or ploy.
In falconry, bate describes a bird of prey fluttering down from a perch to fly at the lure, showing restraint from fully taking off. Whereas bait in a similar vein, could be used metaphorically to describe something that tempts a person into a specific action.
The term bate is less commonly used in everyday language, appearing more frequently in historical or literary contexts. On the other hand, bait is widely recognized and used in both everyday language and specific contexts like fishing or advertising.
Bate originates from the Middle English word "baten," meaning to lessen or restrain, which is derived from the Old French "battre". Whereas bait comes from the Old Norse word "beita," meaning to cause to bite, reflecting its use in catching or ensnaring.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To lessen in intensity
Substance used as a lure
Common Usage
Less frequent, literary
Frequent, in various contexts
Related Forms
Bated (as in bated breath)
Baiting, baited
Etymology
From Middle English "baten"
From Old Norse "beita"
Metaphorical Usage
Can imply restraining eagerness
Often implies enticement or deception
Compare with Definitions
Bate
Reducing force or intensity.
The storm finally began to bate around midnight.
Bait
To deliberately annoy or taunt.
He baited his opponent during the debate.
Bate
To deduct or subtract.
Bate the cost from my final bill.
Bait
A lure used in fishing or trapping.
He used worms as bait for trout fishing.
Bate
Lessen the effectiveness of.
Her enthusiasm was bated by the disappointing news.
Bait
Figuratively, something used to entice or deceive.
The promise of easy money was merely bait.
Bate
Hold back, restrain.
He bated his anger during the meeting.
Bait
Something used to attract or tempt.
The advertisement served as bait for new customers.
Bate
To flap wings wildly (falconry).
The falcon bated at the sight of its keeper.
Bait
To set with bait.
Bait the traps before nightfall.
Bate
An angry mood
He got into a stinking bate
Bait
Food placed on a hook or in a net, trap, or fishing area to entice fish or other animals as prey
Herrings make excellent bait for pike
Fishing with live baits
Bate
(of a hawk) beat the wings in agitation and flutter off the perch
The hawks bated and immediately the breeze got in their feathers
Bait
Variant spelling of bate
Bate
To lessen the force or intensity of; moderate
"To his dying day he bated his breath a little when he told the story" (George Eliot). See Usage Note at bait1.
Bait
Deliberately annoy or taunt (someone)
The other boys revelled in baiting him about his love of literature
Bate
To take away; subtract.
Bait
Put bait on (a hook) or in (a trap, net, or fishing area) to entice fish or animals
I used a hook baited with fat
Bate
To flap the wings wildly or frantically. Used of a falcon.
Bait
Food or other lure placed on a hook or in a trap and used in the taking of fish, birds, or other animals.
Bate
(transitive) To reduce the force of something; to abate.
Bait
Something, such as a worm, used for this purpose.
Bate
(transitive) To restrain, usually with the sense of being in anticipation
Bait
An enticement, temptation, or provocation
He did not take the bait by responding to the taunt and getting drawn into an argument.
Bate
To cut off, remove, take away.
Bait
To place a lure in (a trap) or on (a fishing hook).
Bate
To leave out, except, bar.
Bait
To entice or provoke, especially by trickery or strategy
He baited me into selling him my bike by saying how much I deserved a better one.
Bate
To waste away.
Bait
To set dogs upon (a chained animal, for example) for sport.
Bate
To deprive of.
Bait
To taunt or torment (someone), as with persistent insults or ridicule
"He baited him mercilessly and had all sorts of unpleasant names for him" (Ruth Prawer Jhabvala).
Bate
To lessen by retrenching, deducting, or reducing; to abate; to beat down; to lower.
Bait
To feed (an animal), especially on a journey.
Bate
To allow by way of abatement or deduction.
Bait
To stop for food or rest during a trip.
Bate
(intransitive) To contend or strive with blows or arguments.
Bait
Variant of bate2.
Bate
Of a falcon: To flap the wings vigorously; to bait.
Bait
Any substance, especially food, used in catching fish, or other animals, by alluring them to a hook, snare, trap, or net.
Bate
(transitive) To soak leather so as to remove chemicals used in tanning; to steep in bate.
Bait
Food containing poison or a harmful additive to kill animals that are pests.
Bate
; = beat.
Bait
Anything which allures; something used to lure or entice someone or something into doing something
Bate
To masturbate.
Bait
A portion of food or drink, as a refreshment taken on a journey; also, a stop for rest and refreshment.
Bate
Strife; contention.
Bait
(Geordie) A packed lunch.
Bate
An alkaline lye which neutralizes the effect of the previous application of lime, and makes hides supple in the process of tanning.
Bait
(East Anglia) A small meal taken mid-morning while farming.
Bate
A vat which contains this liquid.
Bait
(Northern England) A miner's packed meal.
Bate
Strife; contention.
Bait
A light or hasty luncheon.
Bate
See 2d Bath.
Bait
(internet slang) A post intended to get a rise out of others.
Please stop posting bait, or I will have to mute you.
Bate
An alkaline solution consisting of the dung of certain animals; - employed in the preparation of hides; grainer.
Bait
En
Sequel bait
Netflix bait
Bate
To lessen by retrenching, deducting, or reducing; to abate; to beat down; to lower.
He must either bate the laborer's wages, or not employ or not pay him.
Bait
(transitive) To attract with bait; to entice.
Bate
To allow by way of abatement or deduction.
To whom he bates nothing of what he stood upon with the parliament.
Bait
(transitive) To affix bait to a trap or a fishing hook or fishing line.
Bate
To remove.
About autumn bate the earth from about the roots of olives, and lay them bare.
Bait
(transitive) To set dogs on (an animal etc.) to bite or worry; to attack with dogs, especially for sport.
To bait a bear with dogs;
To bait a bull
Bate
To deprive of.
When baseness is exalted, do not bateThe place its honor for the person's sake.
Bait
(transitive) To intentionally annoy, torment, or threaten by constant rebukes or threats; to harass.
Bate
To remit or retrench a part; - with of.
Abate thy speed, and I will bate of mine.
Bait
To feed and water (a horse or other animal), especially during a journey.
Bate
To waste away.
Bait
(intransitive) (of a horse or other animal) To take food, especially during a journey.
Bate
To attack; to bait.
Bait
(intransitive) (of a person) To stop to take a portion of food and drink for refreshment during a journey.
Bate
To flutter as a hawk; to bait.
Bait
To flap the wings; to flutter as if to fly; or to hover, as a hawk when she stoops to her prey.
Bate
To steep in bate, as hides, in the manufacture of leather.
Bait
(MLE) Obvious; blatant.
Bate
Moderate or restrain; lessen the force of;
He bated his breath when talking about this affair
Capable of bating his enthusiasm
Bait
(MLE) Well-known; famous; renowned.
Bate
Flap the wings wildly or frantically; used of falcons
Bait
Any substance, esp. food, used in catching fish, or other animals, by alluring them to a hook, snare, inclosure, or net.
Bate
Soak in a special solution to soften and remove chemicals used in previous treatments;
Bate hides and skins
Bait
Anything which allures; a lure; enticement; temptation.
Bait
A portion of food or drink, as a refreshment taken on a journey; also, a stop for rest and refreshment.
Bait
A light or hasty luncheon.
Bait
To provoke and harass; esp., to harass or torment for sport; as, to bait a bear with dogs; to bait a bull.
Bait
To give a portion of food and drink to, upon the road; as, to bait horses.
Bait
To furnish or cover with bait, as a trap or hook.
A crooked pin . . . baited with a vile earthworm.
Bait
To stop to take a portion of food and drink for refreshment of one's self or one's beasts, on a journey.
Evil news rides post, while good news baits.
My lord's coach conveyed me to Bury, and thence baiting at Newmarket.
Bait
To flap the wings; to flutter as if to fly; or to hover, as a hawk when she stoops to her prey.
Bait
Anything that serves as an enticement
Bait
Something used to lure victims into danger
Bait
Harass with persistent criticism or carping;
The children teased the new teacher
Don't ride me so hard over my failure
His fellow workers razzed him when he wore a jacket and tie
Bait
Lure, entice, or entrap with bait
Bait
Attack with dogs or set dogs upon
Common Curiosities
What is the primary use of 'bate'?
It's primarily used to describe a decrease in intensity or eagerness.
What is the origin of 'bate'?
It comes from Middle English "baten," linked to Old French "battre."
What is the origin of 'bait'?
Derived from Old Norse "beita," meaning to cause to bite.
Can 'bate' be used in everyday conversation?
It's less common and typically found more in literary contexts.
Is 'bait' used in both literal and figurative contexts?
Yes, it's used to refer to physical lures and metaphorically to describe enticements.
Is there a verb form of 'bate'?
Yes, "bating" is less commonly used but valid.
What are examples of 'bate' in use?
"Bate your enthusiasm," "he bated his breath."
How do 'bate' and 'bait' differ in their etymology?
"Bate" from Middle English, related to lessening; "Bait" from Old Norse, related to enticing.
Can 'bate' also mean something other than decreasing intensity?
It can imply holding back or restraining something.
How is 'bate' used in falconry?
It describes a bird fluttering down from a perch but not taking off.
What is the primary use of 'bait'?
It's mainly used as a lure or enticement, especially in fishing.
What are common forms of 'bait'?
Includes "baiting" and "baited."
What are examples of 'bait' in use?
"Using cheese as bait in the mouse trap," "he baited the hook with a worm."
How can 'bait' be used metaphorically?
As a strategy or ploy in various contexts, like advertising.
What should one be aware of when using 'bate' or 'bait'?
Understand their context-sensitive meanings to avoid misinterpretation.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
