bit

¹bit

noun \ˈbit\

Definition of BIT

1

a (1) : the biting or cutting edge or part of a tool (2) : a replaceable part of a compound tool that actually performs the function (as drilling or boring) for which the whole tool is designed

b plural : the jaws of tongs or pincers

2

: something bitten or held with the teeth:

a : the usually steel part of a bridle inserted in the mouth of a horse

b : the rimmed mouth end on the stem of a pipe or cigar holder

3

: something that curbs or restrains

4

: the part of a key that enters the lock and acts on the bolt and tumblers

Illustration of BIT

Origin of BIT

Middle English bitt, from Old English bite act of biting; akin to Old English bītan bite

First Known Use: 14th century

Rhymes with BIT

bitt, brit, Brit, chit, dit, fit, flit, frit, git, grit, hit, it, kit, knit, lit, mitt, nit, pit, quit, sit, skit, slit, snit, spit, split, Split, sprit, teat, tit, twit, whit, wit, writ, zit

²bit

transitive verb

bit·ted bit·ting

Definition of BIT

1

a : to put a bit in the mouth of (a horse)

b : to control as if with a bit

2

: to form a bit on (a key)

First Known Use of BIT

1583

Other Equestrian Terms

canter, cantle, curry, farrier, hunter, paddock, router, skirt, tack

³bit

noun

Definition of BIT

1

: a small quantity of food; especially : a small delicacy

2

a : a small piece or quantity of some material thing

b (1) : a small coin (2) : a unit of value equal to ¹⁄₈ of a dollar

3

: something small or unimportant of its kind: as

a : a brief period : while <wait a bit longer>

b : an indefinite usually small degree, extent, or amount <a bit of a rascal> <every bit as powerful>

c (1) : a small part usually with spoken lines in a theatrical performance (2) : a usually short theatrical routine

4

: the aggregate of items, situations, or activities appropriate to a given style, genre, or role <rejected the whole bit about love-marriage-motherhood — Vance Packard>

— a bit

: somewhat, rather <the play was a bit dull>

— a bit much

: a little more than one wants to endure <finds his constant joking a bit much>

— bit by bit

: by degrees : little by little <getting better bit by bit>

— to bits

: totally, thoroughly <thrilled to bits>

Origin of BIT

Middle English, from Old English bita; akin to Old English bītan bite

First Known Use: before 12th century

⁴bit

noun

Definition of BIT

1

: a unit of computer information equivalent to the result of a choice between two alternatives (as yes or no, on or off)

2

: the physical representation of a bit by an electrical pulse, a magnetized spot, or a hole whose presence or absence indicates data

Origin of BIT

binary digit

First Known Use: 1948

Other Computer-Related Terms

adware, flash, kludge, phishing, recursive, router

bit

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

In communication and information theory, a unit of information equivalent to the result of a choice between only two possible alternatives, such as 1 and 0 in the binary code generally used in digital computers. It is also applied to a unit of memory corresponding to the ability to store the result of a choice between two alternatives. A byte consists of a string of eight consecutive bits and makes up the basic information processing unit of a computer. Because a byte includes only an amount of information equivalent to one letter or one symbol (e.g., a comma), the processing and storage capacities of computer hardware are usually given in kilobytes (1,024 bytes), megabytes (1,048,576 bytes), and even gigabytes (about 1 billion bytes) and terabytes (1 trillion bytes).

Variants of BIT

bit in full binary digit