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Writer's pictureBrittany J. Vincent

Baited vs. Bated

Updated: Dec 21, 2018


Bait: (verb) [with object] prepare (a hook, trap, net, or fishing area) with bait to entice fish or animals as prey; an allurement or a thing intended to tempt or entice

  1. Can you bait my hook for me?

  2. She is baiting me with all of this delicious food.

Bated: (adjective) [in phrase with bated breath] in great suspense; very anxiously or excitedly

  1. I waited with bated breath for her answer to my proposal.

Origin

Late 16th century: from the past participle of obsolete bate ‘restrain’, from abate.

Source: https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/


Fun Fact

The phrase "bated breath" was created by William Shakespeare and first appeared in his play The Merchant of Venice.


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