From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Bit \Bit\ (Computers) [binary digit.]
1. the smallest unit of information, equivalent to a choice
between two alternatives, as yes or no; on or off.
[PJC]
2. (Computers) the physical representation of a bit of
information in a computer memory or a data storage medium.
Within a computer circuit a bit may be represented by the
state of a current or an electrical charge; in a magnetic
storage medium it may be represented by the direction of
magnetization; on a punched card or on paper tape it may
be represented by the presence or absence of a hole at a
particular point on the card or tape.
[PJC]
Bit my bit, piecemeal. --Pope.
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Bit \Bit\ (b[i^]t), n. [OE. bitt, bite, AS. bite, bite, fr.
b[imac]tan to bite. See Bite, n. & v., and cf. Bit a
morsel.]
1. The part of a bridle, usually of iron, which is inserted
in the mouth of a horse, and having appendages to which
the reins are fastened. --Shak.
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The foamy bridle with the bit of gold. --Chaucer.
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2. Fig.: Anything which curbs or restrains.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Bit \Bit\, n.
In the British West Indies, a fourpenny piece, or groat.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Bit \Bit\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bitted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Bitting.]
To put a bridle upon; to put the bit in the mouth of.
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Bit \Bit\,
imp. & p. p. of Bite.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Bit \Bit\, n. [OE. bite, AS. bita, fr. b[imac]tan to bite; akin
to D. beet, G. bissen bit, morsel, Icel. biti. See Bite,
v., and cf. Bit part of a bridle.]
1. A part of anything, such as may be bitten off or taken
into the mouth; a morsel; a bite. Hence: A small piece of
anything; a little; a mite.
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2. Somewhat; something, but not very great.
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My young companion was a bit of a poet. --T. Hook.
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Note: This word is used, also, like jot and whit, to express
the smallest degree; as, he is not a bit wiser.
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3. A tool for boring, of various forms and sizes, usually
turned by means of a brace or bitstock. See Bitstock.
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4. The part of a key which enters the lock and acts upon the
bolt and tumblers. --Knight.
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5. The cutting iron of a plane. --Knight.
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6. In the Southern and Southwestern States, a small silver
coin (as the real) formerly current; commonly, one worth
about 12 1/2 cents; also, the sum of 12 1/2 cents.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Bite \Bite\ (b[imac]t), v. t. [imp. Bit (b[i^]t); p. p.
Bitten (b[i^]t"t'n), Bit; p. pr. & vb. n. Biting.] [OE.
biten, AS. b[imac]tan; akin to D. bijten, OS. b[imac]tan,
OHG. b[imac]zan, G. beissen, Goth. beitan, Icel. b[imac]ta,
Sw. bita, Dan. bide, L. findere to cleave, Skr. bhid to
cleave. [root]87. Cf. Fissure.]
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1. To seize with the teeth, so that they enter or nip the
thing seized; to lacerate, crush, or wound with the teeth;
as, to bite an apple; to bite a crust; the dog bit a man.
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Such smiling rogues as these,
Like rats, oft bite the holy cords atwain. --Shak.
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2. To puncture, abrade, or sting with an organ (of some
insects) used in taking food.
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3. To cause sharp pain, or smarting, to; to hurt or injure,
in a literal or a figurative sense; as, pepper bites the
mouth. "Frosts do bite the meads." --Shak.
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4. To cheat; to trick; to take in. [Colloq.] --Pope.
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5. To take hold of; to hold fast; to adhere to; as, the
anchor bites the ground.
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The last screw of the rack having been turned so
often that its purchase crumbled, . . . it turned
and turned with nothing to bite. --Dickens.
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To bite the dust, To bite the ground, to fall in the
agonies of death; as, he made his enemy bite the dust.
To bite in (Etching), to corrode or eat into metallic
plates by means of an acid.
To bite the thumb at (any one), formerly a mark of
contempt, designed to provoke a quarrel; to defy. "Do you
bite your thumb at us?" --Shak.
To bite the tongue, to keep silence. --Shak.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Bite \Bite\ (b[imac]t), v. t. [imp. Bit (b[i^]t); p. p.
Bitten (b[i^]t"t'n), Bit; p. pr. & vb. n. Biting.] [OE.
biten, AS. b[imac]tan; akin to D. bijten, OS. b[imac]tan,
OHG. b[imac]zan, G. beissen, Goth. beitan, Icel. b[imac]ta,
Sw. bita, Dan. bide, L. findere to cleave, Skr. bhid to
cleave. [root]87. Cf. Fissure.]
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1. To seize with the teeth, so that they enter or nip the
thing seized; to lacerate, crush, or wound with the teeth;
as, to bite an apple; to bite a crust; the dog bit a man.
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Such smiling rogues as these,
Like rats, oft bite the holy cords atwain. --Shak.
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2. To puncture, abrade, or sting with an organ (of some
insects) used in taking food.
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3. To cause sharp pain, or smarting, to; to hurt or injure,
in a literal or a figurative sense; as, pepper bites the
mouth. "Frosts do bite the meads." --Shak.
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4. To cheat; to trick; to take in. [Colloq.] --Pope.
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5. To take hold of; to hold fast; to adhere to; as, the
anchor bites the ground.
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The last screw of the rack having been turned so
often that its purchase crumbled, . . . it turned
and turned with nothing to bite. --Dickens.
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To bite the dust, To bite the ground, to fall in the
agonies of death; as, he made his enemy bite the dust.
To bite in (Etching), to corrode or eat into metallic
plates by means of an acid.
To bite the thumb at (any one), formerly a mark of
contempt, designed to provoke a quarrel; to defy. "Do you
bite your thumb at us?" --Shak.
To bite the tongue, to keep silence. --Shak.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Bit \Bit\,
3d sing. pr. of Bid, for biddeth. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
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