bearbaiting

American  

[bair-bey-ting] / ˈbɛərˌbeɪ tɪŋ /

noun

1. bear-baiting.

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Other Word Forms

• bearbaiter noun

Etymology

Origin of bearbaiting

First recorded in 1580–90; bear ², bait (in the sense “to set dogs upon for sport”), -ing ¹ ( def. )

Example Sentences

Noting that bearbaiting was, like the theater of the time, a popular form of entertainment, she folds into her tale a troupe of bears who carp about their degrading lives from inside their cages.

From New York Times • Jan. 30, 2017

Was it a new twist on the reality show bearbaiting formula, or just a brilliant opportunity for some free publicity for Pimlico Plumbers?

From The Guardian • Jul. 11, 2012

"It smacks of bearbaiting rather than dealing seriously with the problems," Vance said.

From Time Magazine Archive

Some Soviet officials have warned that if the Teng visit proves to be an extravaganza of bearbaiting, they may further delay a strategic arms limitation treaty or scuttle it altogether.

From Time Magazine Archive

But bearbaiting, then a favourite diversion of high and low, was the abomination which most strongly stirred the wrath of the austere sectaries.

From The History of England, from the Accession of James II — Volume 1 by Macaulay, Thomas Babington Macaulay, Baron