---
title: bait — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «bait» in the school dictionary: Food put on a hook or in a trap to catch fish or animals. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# bait

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** Bait, We, Dad, free phone offer, your, you · **What happens:** put, catch, use, tempt, tease, annoy · **To what, where:** Food, hook, fish, person, trap, bait

<!-- .vabout -->
«bait» in the school dictionary: its 6 meanings for a pupil and its 7 examples, every sentence parsed by Mova itself — its syntax tree, a dependency tree in the style of Universal Dependencies, and its pragmatics clause by clause. The word in the dictionary, with its sense in the lessons: [bait in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/bait.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Food put on a hook or in a trap to catch fish or animals.

<!-- fold The tree, 14 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:bait:m1:1
# text = Food put on a hook or in a trap to catch fish or animals.
1	Food	food	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
2	put	put	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	1	acl	_	_
3	on	on	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	hook	hook	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	_
6	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	9	cc	_	_
7	in	in	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	trap	trap	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	conj	_	_
10	to	to	PART	TO	_	11	mark	_	_
11	catch	catch	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	9	acl	_	_
12	fish	fish	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	obj	_	_
13	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	14	cc	_	_
14	animals	animal	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	12	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **put** | participle |  | Food *not said here* |  | a hook or a trap |  |  | vn put-9.1-2 «NP V PP.destination NP»: agent=Agent on hook=Destination |
| 2 | **catch** | to-infinitive |  | fish or animals |  |  |  |  | vn get-13.5.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent fish=Theme |

<!-- .note -->
One row per clause the reader finds. «not said here»: a role filled from the clause above. «roles by»: a VerbNet class and frame when one fits the verb, else the reader's rules on the tree.

## Meaning 2 {#m2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Something used to tempt a person into a trap or trick.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:bait:m2:1
# text = Something used to tempt a person into a trap or trick.
1	Something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	0	root	_	_
2	used	use	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	1	acl	_	_
3	to	to	PART	TO	_	4	mark	_	_
4	tempt	tempt	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	advcl	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	person	person	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	_
7	into	into	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
8	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	trap	trap	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	_
10	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	11	cc	_	_
11	trick	trick	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **use** | participle |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **tempt** | to-infinitive |  |  | a person | a trap or trick |  |  | vn urge-58.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent person=Recipient |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To put bait on a hook or in a trap.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:bait:m3:1
# text = To put bait on a hook or in a trap.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	put	put	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	bait	bait	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
4	on	on	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	hook	hook	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	_
7	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	10	cc	_	_
8	in	in	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	trap	trap	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **put** | to-infinitive |  | bait |  | a hook or a trap |  |  | vn put-9.1-2 «NP V PP.destination NP»: agent=Agent bait=Theme on hook=Destination |

## Meaning 4 {#m4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
To tease or annoy someone on purpose to make them angry.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:bait:m4:1
# text = To tease or annoy someone on purpose to make them angry.
1	To	to	PART	TO	_	2	mark	_	_
2	tease	tease	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	4	cc	_	_
4	annoy	annoy	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	2	conj	_	_
5	someone	someone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	4	obj	_	_
6	on	on	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	purpose	purpose	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	_
8	to	to	PART	TO	_	9	mark	_	_
9	make	make	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	advcl	_	_
10	them	they	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Plur|Person=3|PronType=Prs	9	obj	_	_
11	angry	angry	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **tease** | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn ferret-35.6 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent |
| 2 | **annoy** | infinitive |  | someone |  | purpose |  |  | vn amuse-31.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Stimulus someone=Experiencer |
| 3 | **make** | to-infinitive |  | them *= they* |  |  |  | angry *property* | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset they=Product |

## Meaning 5 {#m5}

<!-- .note -->
Usage: slang — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Obvious, too easy to notice; or clickbait meant to fool you online.

<!-- fold The tree, 12 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:bait:m5:1
# text = Obvious, too easy to notice; or clickbait meant to fool you online.
1	Obvious	obvious	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	4	punct	_	_
3	too	too	ADV	RB	_	4	advmod	_	_
4	easy	easy	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	1	conj	_	_
5	to	to	PART	TO	_	6	mark	_	_
6	notice	notice	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	;	;	PUNCT	,	_	9	punct	_	_
8	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	9	cc	_	_
9	clickbait	clickbait	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	conj	_	_
10	meant	mean	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	9	acl	_	_
11	to	to	PART	TO	_	12	mark	_	_
12	fool	fool	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	10	xcomp	_	_
13	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Person=2|PronType=Prs	12	obj	_	_
14	online	online	ADV	RB	_	12	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **notice** | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn see-30.1-1 «NP V S\_ING»: agent=Experiencer |
| 2 | **mean** | participle |  | clickbait *not said here* |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 3 | **fool** *not said to happen* | to-infinitive |  | you |  |  |  | online *property* | vn trick-59.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent you=Patient |

## Meaning 6 {#m6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Bait can also mean a snack or a light meal, especially one eaten at work or on a journey (old-fashioned).

<!-- fold The tree, 21 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:bait:m6:1
# text = Bait can also mean a snack or a light meal, especially one eaten at work or on a journey (old-fashioned).
1	Bait	bait	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
2	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	4	aux	_	_
3	also	also	ADV	RB	_	4	advmod	_	_
4	mean	mean	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	snack	snack	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obj	_	_
7	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	10	cc	_	_
8	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
9	light	light	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	compound	_	_
10	meal	meal	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	13	punct	_	_
12	especially	especially	ADV	RB	_	13	advmod	_	_
13	one	one	NUM	CD	NumForm=Word|NumType=Card	10	appos	_	_
14	eaten	eat	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	13	acl	_	_
15	at	at	ADP	IN	_	16	case	_	_
16	work	work	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	14	obl	_	_
17	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	20	cc	_	_
18	on	on	ADP	IN	_	20	case	_	_
19	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	20	det	_	_
20	journey	journey	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	16	conj	_	_
21	(	(	PUNCT	-LRB-	_	24	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
22	old	old	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	24	amod	_	SpaceAfter=No
23	-	-	PUNCT	HYPH	_	22	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
24	fashioned	fashioned	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	20	amod	_	SpaceAfter=No
25	)	)	PUNCT	-RRB-	_	24	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
26	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | can | Bait | a snack or a light meal |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent snack=Topic |
| 2 | **eat** | participle |  |  |  | work or a journey |  |  | vn eat-39.1-1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
We used worms as bait to catch fish.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:bait:x1:1
# text = We used worms as bait to catch fish.
1	We	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	used	use	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	worms	worm	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obj	_	_
4	as	as	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
5	bait	bait	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obl	_	_
6	to	to	PART	TO	_	7	mark	_	_
7	catch	catch	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	advcl	_	_
8	fish	fish	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **use** | past | We | worms |  |  |  | as bait | vn spend\_time-104 «NP V NP PP.attribute»: agent=Agent worm=Duration as bait=Attribute |
| 2 | **catch** | to-infinitive | We *not said here* | fish |  |  |  |  | vn get-13.5.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent fish=Theme |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Dad baited the mousetrap with cheese.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:bait:x2:1
# text = Dad baited the mousetrap with cheese.
1	Dad	dad	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nsubj	_	_
2	baited	bait	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	mousetrap	mousetrap	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	with	with	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
6	cheese	cheese	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **bait** | past | Dad | the mousetrap |  |  |  | with cheese | vn butter-9.9 «NP V NP PP.theme»: agent=Agent mousetrap=Destination with cheese=Theme |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The free phone offer was just bait to get your details.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:bait:x3:1
# text = The free phone offer was just bait to get your details.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
2	free	free	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	_
3	phone	phone	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	compound	_	_
4	offer	offer	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nsubj	_	_
5	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	7	cop	_	_
6	just	just	ADV	RB	_	7	advmod	_	_
7	bait	bait	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
8	to	to	PART	TO	_	9	mark	_	_
9	get	get	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	7	xcomp	_	_
10	your	your	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Person=2|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	11	nmod:poss	_	_
11	details	detail	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	9	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | past | the free phone offer |  |  |  |  | bait *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **get** | to-infinitive | the free phone offer *not said here* | your details |  |  |  |  | vn comprehend-87.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer detail=Stimulus |
| 3 | **detail** |  | your |  |  |  |  |  | nom detail «cognition transitive»: poss=agent |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Don't take the bait when he teases you.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:bait:x4:1
# text = Don't take the bait when he teases you.
1	Do	do	AUX	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	3	aux	_	SpaceAfter=No
2	n't	not	PART	RB	Polarity=Neg	3	advmod	_	_
3	take	take	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	bait	bait	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	when	when	SCONJ	WRB	_	8	mark	_	_
7	he	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	8	nsubj	_	_
8	teases	tease	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	advcl	_	_
9	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Person=2|PronType=Prs	8	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **not** **take** | imperative · do-support | you *not said here* | the bait |  |  |  |  | vn bring-11.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent bait=Theme |
| 2 | **tease** | present | he | you |  |  |  |  | vn bully-59.5 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent you=Patient |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
That headline is pure clickbait.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:bait:x5:1
# text = That headline is pure clickbait.
1	That	that	DET	DT	Number=Sing|PronType=Dem	2	det	_	_
2	headline	headline	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	pure	pure	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	clickbait	clickbait	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | that headline | pure clickbait |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The bully kept baiting him to start a fight.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:bait:x6:1
# text = The bully kept baiting him to start a fight.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	bully	bully	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	kept	keep	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	baiting	bait	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	3	xcomp	_	_
5	him	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	4	obj	_	_
6	to	to	PART	TO	_	7	mark	_	_
7	start	start	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	4	advcl	_	_
8	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
9	fight	fight	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **keep** | past | the bully |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **bait** | gerund | the bully *not said here* |  | bully |  |  |  | vn butter-9.9 «NP V NP.destination»: agent=Agent he=Destination |
| 3 | **start** | to-infinitive | the bully *not said here* | a fight |  |  |  |  | vn begin-55.1-1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent fight=Eventuality |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The fish nibbled the bait and swam away.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:bait:x7:1
# text = The fish nibbled the bait and swam away.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	fish	fish	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	nibbled	nibble	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	bait	bait	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	7	cc	_	_
7	swam	swim	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	3	conj	_	_
8	away	away	ADV	RB	_	7	advmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **nibble** | past | the fish | the bait |  |  |  |  | vn chew-39.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent bait=Patient |
| 2 | **swim away** | past | the fish *not said here* |  |  |  |  | away *property* | vn run-51.3.2-1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

<!-- div src -->

**Text:** the school dictionary of Mova's schools (`world/data/dictionary-schools/`), written for Mova. **Trees:** Mova's own parse — the `en` model on the CPU, when the site is built — not checked by a teacher; they may be wrong. **Frames:** Mova's frames reader (`prag`), each meaning and example read on its own. Elamur Cosmic License.

<!-- /div -->

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