Where does “rat-baiting” come from?
rat-baiting (English) comes from English baiting, 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.
rat-baiting (English): A blood sport involving the setting of dogs upon...
Definitions
- A blood sport involving the setting of dogs upon...
Ancestry of “rat-baiting”, step by step
rat-baiting traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.
via English baiting
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English | baiting | present participle of bait; A bloodsport... |
| 2 | English | bait | Any substance, especially food, used in catching... |
| 3 | Middle English | bayte | Bait or lure; objects used as a bait or lure;... |
| 4 | Old Norse | beita | to graze; to allow, let, make bite; to steer or... |
| 5 | Proto-Germanic | baitō | That which is or can be bitten; food; bait |
| 6 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰeyd- | to split |
| 7 | Proto-Indo-European | bʰey- | bee |