bit Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a small piece or quantity of something
    spot.
    • a spot of tea
    • a bit of paper
    • a bit of lint
    • I gave him a bit of my mind
  2. noun a small fragment of something broken off from the whole
    fleck; chip; flake; scrap.
    • a bit of rock caught him in the eye
  3. noun an indefinitely short time
    moment; mo; minute; second.
    • wait just a moment
    • in a mo
    • it only takes a minute
    • in just a bit
  4. noun an instance of some kind
    piece.
    • it was a nice piece of work
    • he had a bit of good luck
  5. noun piece of metal held in horse's mouth by reins and used to control the horse while riding
    • the horse was not accustomed to a bit
  6. noun a unit of measurement of information (from binary + digit); the amount of information in a system having two equiprobable states
    • there are 8 bits in a byte
  7. noun a small amount of solid food; a mouthful
    morsel; bite.
    • all they had left was a bit of bread
  8. noun a small fragment
    snatch.
    • overheard snatches of their conversation
  9. noun a short theatrical performance that is part of a longer program
    turn; routine; number; act.
    • he did his act three times every evening
    • she had a catchy little routine
    • it was one of the best numbers he ever did
  10. noun the part of a key that enters a lock and lifts the tumblers
  11. noun the cutting part of a drill; usually pointed and threaded and is replaceable in a brace or bitstock or drill press
    • he looked around for the right size bit
  12. verb to grip, cut off, or tear with or as if with the teeth or jaws
    bite; seize with teeth.
    • Gunny invariably tried to bite her
  13. verb cause a sharp or stinging pain or discomfort
    bite; burn; sting.
    • The sun burned his face
  14. verb penetrate or cut, as with a knife
    bite.
    • The fork bit into the surface
  15. verb deliver a sting to
    bite; prick; sting.
    • A bee stung my arm yesterday

WordNet

Bit noun
Etymology
OE. bitt, bite, AS. bite, bite, fr. bitan to bite. See Bite, n. & v., and cf. Bit a morsel.
Definitions
  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.
    The foamy bridle with the bit of gold. Chaucer.
  2. Fig.: Anything which curbs or restrains.
Bit transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Bitted present participle & verbal noun Bitting
Definitions
  1. To put a bridle upon; to put the bit in the mouth of.
Bit
Definitions
  1. imp. & p. p. of Bite.
Bit noun
Etymology
OE. bite, AS. bita, fr. bitan to bite; akin to D. beet, G. bissen bit, morsel, Icel. biti. See Bite, v., and cf. Bit part of a bridle.
Definitions
  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.
  2. Somewhat; something, but not very great.
    My young companion was a bit of a poet. T. Hook.
    ✍ This word is used, also, like jot and whit, to express the smallest degree; as, he is not a bit wiser.
  3. A tool for boring, of various forms and sizes, usually turned by means of a brace or bitstock. See Bitstock.
  4. The part of a key which enters the lock and acts upon the bolt and tumblers. Knight.
  5. The cutting iron of a plane. Knight.
  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. Pope.
Bit 3rd singular present
Definitions
  1. of Bid, for biddeth. Obs. Chaucer.

Webster 1913