noun
- A small piece or quantity of something.
- usage: "a spot of tea"; "a bit of paper"; "a bit of lint"; "I gave him a bit of my mind"
- A small fragment of something broken off from the whole.
- usage: "a bit of rock caught him in the eye"
- An indefinitely short time.
- usage: "wait just a moment"; "in a mo"; "it only takes a minute"; "in just a bit"
- An instance of some kind.
- usage: "it was a nice piece of work"; "he had a bit of good luck"
- Piece of metal held in horse's mouth by reins and used to control the horse while riding.
- usage: "the horse was not accustomed to a bit"
- A unit of measurement of information (from binary + digit); the amount of information in a system having two equiprobable states.
- usage: "there are 8 bits in a byte"
- A small amount of solid food; a mouthful.
- usage: "all they had left was a bit of bread"
- A small fragment.
- usage: "overheard snatches of their conversation"
- A short theatrical performance that is part of a longer program.
- usage: "he did his act three times every evening"; "she had a catchy little routine"; "it was one of the best numbers he ever did"
- The part of a key that enters a lock and lifts the tumblers.
- The cutting part of a drill; usually pointed and threaded and is replaceable in a brace or bitstock or drill press.
- usage: "he looked around for the right size bit"
verb
- To grip, cut off, or tear with or as if with the teeth or jaws.
- usage: "Gunny invariably tried to bite her"
- Cause a sharp or stinging pain or discomfort.
- usage: "The sun burned his face"
- Penetrate or cut, as with a knife.
- usage: "The fork bit into the surface"
- Deliver a sting to.
- usage: "A bee stung my arm yesterday"
WordNet 3.0 © 2006 by Princeton University
- (v.) A part of anything, such as may be bitten off or taken into the mouth; a morsel; a bite. Hence: A small piece of anything; a little; a mite.
- of Bite.
- (imp.) of Bite.
- (v.) The part of a key which enters the lock and acts upon the bolt and tumblers.
- (v.) In the Southern and Southwestern States, a small silver coin (as the real) formerly current; commonly, one worth about 12 1/2 cents; also, the sum of 12 1/2 cents.
- (v.) The part of a bridle, usually of iron, which is inserted in the mouth of a horse, and having appendages to which the reins are fastened.
- (v.) Fig.: Anything which curbs or restrains.
- imp. & p. p. of Bite.
- (v.) The cutting iron of a plane.
- 3d sing. pr. of Bid, for biddeth.
- (v.t.) To put a bridle upon; to put the bit in the mouth of.
- (v.) A tool for boring, of various forms and sizes, usually turned by means of a brace or bitstock. See Bitstock.
- (v.) Somewhat; something, but not very great.
- (n.) In the British West Indies, a fourpenny piece or groat.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. 31 January 2011.