~ 1
■ noun
1》 a small piece, quantity, or extent of something.
2》 informal a set of actions or ideas associated with a specific activity: she did her theatrical ~.
3》 informal a girl or young woman.
4》 N. Amer. informal a unit of 12 1/2 cents (used only in even multiples).
Phrases
a ~ somewhat.
~ by ~ gradually.
a ~ of a ——
1》 used to suggest that something is not severe or extreme: a ~ of an accident.
2》 denoting a young person or one of slight build: a ~ of a girl.
a ~ of all right Brit. informal an attractive or pleasing person or thing.
~ of fluff (or skirt or stuff ) Brit. informal a woman regarded in sexual terms.
~ on the side Brit. informal
1》 a person with whom one is unfaithful to one's partner.
2》 money earned outside one's normal job.
do one's ~ informal make a useful contribution.
in ~s Brit. informal very upset or emotionally affected.
to ~s
1》 into pieces.
2》 informal very much.
Origin
OE ~a '~e, mouthful', of Gmc origin.
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~ 2
past of ~e .
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~ 3
■ noun
1》 a metal mouthpiece attached to a bridle, used to control a horse.
2》 a tool or piece for boring or drilling.
↘the cutting or gripping part of a plane, pincers, or other tool.
3》 the part of a key that engages with the lock lever.
4》 the copper head of a soldering iron.
■ verb put a ~ into the mouth of (a horse).
Phrases
get (or take or have ) the ~ between (or N. Amer. in) one's teeth begin to tackle a task in a determined way.
Derivatives
-~ted adjective
Origin
OE ~e '~ing, a ~e', of Gmc origin.
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~ 4
■ noun Computing a unit of information expressed as either a 0 or 1 in binary notation.
Origin
1940s: blend of binary and digit .