noun
- plural of bearbaiting; instances or events of the practice of setting dogs to attack a captive bear for sport or entertainment
Usage: historical; archaic; typically refers to a cruel blood sport popular in medieval and early modern Europe
Examples
- Bearbaitings were common entertainment in Elizabethan England.
- The royal court attended several bearbaitings during the festival.
- Historical records document numerous bearbaitings held in London's amphitheaters.
- Animal welfare advocates point to bearbaitings as examples of past cruelty.
- Bearbaitings were eventually banned as public attitudes toward animal treatment evolved.