v. & n.
v. (past bit; past part. bitten) 1 tr. cut or puncture using the teeth. 2 tr. (foll. by off, away, etc.) detach with the teeth. 3 tr. (of an insect, snake, etc.) wound with a sting, fangs, etc. 4 intr. (of a wheel, screw, etc.) grip, penetrate. 5 intr. accept bait or an inducement. 6 intr. have a (desired) adverse effect. 7 tr. (in passive) a take in; swindle. b (foll. by by, with, etc.) be infected by (enthusiasm etc.). 8 tr. (as bitten adj.) cause a glowing or smarting pain to (frostbitten). 9 intr. (foll. by at) snap at.
n. 1 an act of biting. 2 a wound or sore made by biting. 3 a a mouthful of food. b a snack or light meal. 4 the taking of bait by a fish. 5 pungency (esp. of flavour). 6 incisiveness, sharpness. 7 = OCCLUSION 3. bite back restrain (one's speech etc.) by or as if by biting the lips. bite (or bite on) the bullet sl. behave bravely or stoically. bite the dust sl. 1 die. 2 fail; break down. bite the hand that feeds one hurt or offend a benefactor. bite a person's head off colloq. respond fiercely or angrily. bite one's lip see LIP. bite off more than one can chew take on a commitment one cannot fulfil. once bitten twice shy an unpleasant experience induces caution. put the bite on US sl. borrow or extort money from. what's biting you? sl. what is worrying you? biter n.
[ OE bitan f. Gmc ]