[mite] n [ME, fr. OE mite; akin to MD mite mite, small copper coin and perh. to OHG meizan to cut] (bef. 12c): any of numerous small acarid arachnids that often infest animals, plants, and stored foods and include important disease vectors
[2]mite n [ME, fr. MF or MD; MF, small Flemish copper coin, fr. MD] (14c) 1: a small coin or sum of money
2. a: a very little: bit b: a very small object or creature -- a mite : somewhat, rather "could be that I am a mite prejudiced --John Fischer"