1. n. any small arachnid of the order Acari, having four pairs of legs when adult.
Derivatives:
mity adj.
Etymology: OE mite f. Gmc 2. n. & adv.
--n.
1. hist. a Flemish copper coin of small value.
2 any small monetary unit.
3 a small object or person, esp. a child.
4 a modest contribution; the best one can do (offered my mite of comfort).
--adv. (usu. prec. by a) colloq. somewhat (is a mite shy).
Etymology: ME f. MLG, MDu. mite f. Gmc: prob. the same as MITE(1)