Bet vs Bait - What's the difference?
bet | bait |
A wager, an agreement between two parties that a stake (usually money) will be paid by the loser to the winner (the winner being the one who correctly forecast the outcome of an event).
A degree of certainty.
To stake or pledge upon the outcome of an event; to wager.
* Shakespeare
* O. W. Holmes
To be sure of something; to be able to count on something.
(poker) To place money into the pot in order to require others do the same, usually only used for the first person to place money in the pot on each round.
Any substance, especially food, used in catching fish, or other animals, by alluring them to a hook, snare, trap, or net.
Food containing poison or a harmful additive to kill animals that are pests.
Anything which allures; a lure; enticement; temptation.
A portion of food or drink, as a refreshment taken on a journey; also, a stop for rest and refreshment.
A light or hasty luncheon.
To attract with bait; to entice.
To affix bait to a trap or a fishing hook or fishing line.
* Washington Irving
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
To intentionally annoy, torment, or threaten by constant rebukes or threats; to harass.
To feed and water (a horse or other animal), especially during a journey.
*, Bk.V, Ch.ix:
*:And than they com into a lowe medow that was full of swete floures, and there thes noble knyghtes bayted her horses.
Of a horse or other animal: to take food, especially during a journey.
*, II.22:
*:King Cyrus , that he might more speedily receave news from al parts of his Empire (which was of exceeding great length), would needs have it tried how far a horse could in a day goe outright without baiting , at which distance he caused stations to be set up, and men to have fresh horses ready for al such as came to him.
To stop to take a portion of food and drink for refreshment during a journey.
*Milton
*:Evil news rides post, while good news baits .
*Evelyn
*:My lord's coach conveyed me to Bury, and thence baiting at Newmarket.
(obsolete) To flap the wings; to flutter as if to fly; or to hover, as a hawk when she stoops to her prey.
* Shakespeare
As a proper noun bet
is a diminutive of elizabeth.As an adjective bait is
.bet
English
Etymology 1
From 16th century criminal slang, likely from abet or (etyl) .Noun
(en noun)- Dylan owes Fletcher $30 from an unsuccessful bet.
- It’s a safe bet that it will rain tomorrow.
- It’s an even bet that Jim will come top of the maths test tomorrow
Verb
- John a Gaunt loved him well, and betted much money on his head.
- I'll bet you two to one I'll make him do it.
- You bet !
Derived terms
* bet one's boots * bet one's bottom dollar * bet the farmEtymology 2
From (etyl)Noun
Etymology 3
bait
English
Etymology 1
From (etyl) bait, beite, from (etyl) .Noun
(en noun)- (Fairfax)
Usage notes
Used in Geordie dialect of English to denote your lunch at work as opposed to other meals. Also used in East Anglian dialect of English to denote a small meal taken mid-morning while farming, and in the North of England to denote a snack taken by miners to eat while working.Derived terms
* baiting * flamebait * jailbait * shark baitReferences
* * * * *Verb
(en verb)- a crooked pin bailed with a vile earthworm
Usage notes
* This verb is sometimes confused in writing with the rare verb (bate), which is pronounced identically; in particular, the expression (with bated breath) is frequently misspelled *(term) by writers unfamiliar with the verb (bate).Etymology 2
From (etyl) baiten, beiten, from (etyl) .Verb
(en verb)See also
*Etymology 3
(etyl) battre de l'aile'' or ''des ailes , to flap or flutter.Verb
(en verb)- Kites that bait and beat.