n.
Pronunciation: ' b ī t
Function: verb
Inflected Form: bit \ ' bit \ ; bit · ten \ ' bi-t ə n \ also bit ; bit · ing \ ' b ī -ti ŋ \
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English b ī tan; akin to Old High German b ī zan to bite, Latin findere to split
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1 a : to seize especially with teeth or jaws so as to enter, grip, or wound b : to wound, pierce, or sting especially with a fang or a proboscis
2 : to cut or pierce with or as if with an edged weapon
3 : to cause sharp pain or stinging discomfort to
4 : to take hold of
5 archaic : to take in : CHEAT
intransitive verb
1 : to bite or have the habit of biting something
2 of a weapon or tool : to cut, pierce, or take hold
3 : to cause irritation or smarting
4 : CORRODE
5 a of fish : to take a bait b : to respond so as to be caught (as by a trick) c : to accept a suggestion or an offer <offered them a deal but they wouldn't bite >
6 : to take or maintain a firm hold
7 : to produce a negative effect <the recession began to bite >
8 slang : to be objectionable or extremely bad in quality : STINK , SUCK
– bit · er \ ' b ī -t ə r \ noun
– bite off more than one can chew : to undertake more than one can handle
– bite one's tongue : to hold back (as from a reluctance to offend) a remark one would like to make
– bite the bullet : to enter with resignation upon a difficult or distressing course of action
– bite the dust
1 : to fall dead especially in battle
2 a : to suffer humiliation or defeat b : to come to an end
– bite the hand that feeds one : to injure a benefactor maliciously