bull-baiting, vbl. n.
(ˈbʊlbeɪtɪŋ)
[f. bull n.1 + baiting.]
The action of baiting a bull with dogs. (Cf. bull-dog n.)
| 1580 Baret Alv. B 1478 Bulbaitinges. 1583 Babington Commandm. iv. (1637) 36 Gadding to this Ale or that, to this Bearbaiting and that bulbaiting. 1652 Let. fr. Madrid in Proc. Parl. No. 170 The next day there was Bull-beating. 1711 Addison Spect. No. 31 ¶2 The bull-baiting..cannot possibly be exhibited in the theatre, by reason of the lowness of the roof. 1802 Hist. Europe in Ann. Reg. 168/2 The practise of bull-baiting was dying away of itself. |