Where does “-bait” come from?

-bait (English) comes from English bait, from Middle English bayte, from Old Norse beita, from Proto-Germanic baitō, from Proto-Indo-European bʰeyd-, from Proto-Indo-European bʰey- — bee.

-bait (English): Forms nouns which refer to acts of manipulation which seek to elicit a particular response

Definitions

  1. Forms nouns which refer to acts of manipulation which seek to elicit a particular response

Ancestry of “-bait”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishbaitAny substance, especially food, used in catching...
2Middle EnglishbayteBait or lure; objects used as a bait or lure;...
3Old Norsebeitato graze; to allow, let, make bite; to steer or...
4Proto-GermanicbaitōThat which is or can be bitten; food; bait
5Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰeyd-to split
6Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰey-bee

Words derived from “-bait

Every word from Proto-Indo-European bʰey-Every word from Proto-Indo-European bʰeyd-Every word from Proto-Germanic baitō
-bait — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer