Meaning of bear-bait | Babel Free

Definitions

Noun. [B2]

Examples

“He describes another entertainment as often following the bear-bait, that of mercilessly whipping a blinded bear⟳ by five or six men standing circularly with whips; the bear⟳ unable to escape⟳ because of his chain, defended himself with all his force⟳, throwing down all that came within his reach⟳, tearing the whips out of their hands, and breaking them.”

“A bear-bait was one of the recreations offered to Elizabeth at Kenilworth, and in the Earl of Northumberland's Household Book we read⟳ of 20s. for his bear-ward.”

“This freedom of speech in a holy place⟳ is less to be wondered at when it is known that the good rector and a party from the rectory usually witnessed the bear-bait from the churchyard adjoining the village green.”

CEFR level