baited

Baited is the past tense and past participle of bait, meaning to lure or entice by offering something desirable. In general use, a device, trap, or setup described as baited has been prepared with bait to attract a target, such as a trap, fishing rig, or decoy.

In wildlife management and pest control, baited traps and bait stations rely on food, scent, or other attractants to draw animals toward a capture or treatment area. Baiting practices are often subject to legal and ethical considerations, with restrictions designed to protect non-target species, human safety, and ecological balance.

In fishing and angling, baited hooks or rigs use live or artificial bait to entice fish. Common baits include worms, insects, or cut prey; artificial lures may be described as baited if designed to resemble natural prey.

In online culture, baiting describes attempts to provoke a reaction by posting provocative or deceptive remarks intended to entice others to respond. The past tense “baited” can appear in descriptions of such posts, as in a message that was baited to spark discussion.

Note that “bated breath” is a separate phrase; it originates from abate and generally means restrained or held back, and is often misspelled as “baited breath.”