bite

¹bite

verb \ˈbīt\

bit \ˈbit\ bit·ten \ˈbi-t^ən\ also bit bit·ing \ˈbī-tiŋ\

Definition of BITE

transitive verb

1

a : to seize especially with teeth or jaws so as to enter, grip, or wound

b : to wound, pierce, or sting especially with a fang or a proboscis

2

: to cut or pierce with or as if with an edged weapon

3

: to cause sharp pain or stinging discomfort to

4

: to take hold of

5

archaic : to take in : cheat

intransitive verb

1

: to bite or have the habit of biting something

2

of a weapon or tool : to cut, pierce, or take hold

3

: to cause irritation or smarting

4

: corrode

5

a of fish : to take a bait

b : to respond so as to be caught (as by a trick)

c : to accept a suggestion or an offer <offered them a deal but they wouldn't bite>

6

: to take or maintain a firm hold

7

: to produce a negative effect <the recession began to bite>

8

slang : to be objectionable or extremely bad in quality : stink, suck

— bit·er \ˈbī-tər\ noun

— bite off more than one can chew

: to undertake more than one can handle

— bite one's tongue

: to hold back (as from a reluctance to offend) a remark one would like to make

— bite the bullet

: to enter with resignation upon a difficult or distressing course of action

— bite the dust

1

: to fall dead especially in battle

2

a : to suffer humiliation or defeat

b : to come to an end

— bite the hand that feeds one

: to injure a benefactor maliciously

Examples of BITE

1. The hamster bit the child.
2. She bit the cookie in half.
3. Some people bite their nails when they feel nervous.
4. A wild animal may bite if it is frightened.
5. The patient had been bitten by a poisonous snake.
6. The mosquitoes are biting tonight.
7. Are the fish biting today?

Origin of BITE

Middle English, from Old English bītan; akin to Old High German bīzan to bite, Latin findere to split

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to BITE

Synonyms

stink [slang], smell, suck [slang]

Antonyms

rock [slang], rule [slang]

Rhymes with BITE

bight, blight, bright, byte, cite, dight, dite, fight, flight, fright, height, hight, kite, knight, krait, kyte, light, lite, might, mite, night, plight, quite, right, rite, sight, site, sleight, slight, smite, spite, sprite, tight, trite, white, wight, wite, wright, write

²bite

noun

Definition of BITE

1

a : the act of biting

b : the manner of biting; especially : occlusion 1b

2

: food: as

a : the amount of food taken at a bite : morsel

b : a small amount of food : snack <have a bite to eat>

3

archaic

a : cheat, trick

b : sharper

4

: a wound made by biting

5

: the hold or grip by which friction is created or purchase is obtained

6

: a surface that creates friction or is brought into contact with another for the purpose of obtaining a hold

7

a : a keen incisive quality

b : a sharp penetrating effect

8

: a single exposure of an etcher's plate to the corrosive action of acid

9

: an amount taken usually in one operation for one purpose : share

10

: sound bite

Examples of BITE

1. He ate the candy bar in three quick bites.
2. She gave her lip a gentle bite.
3. The fisherman felt a bite at the end of his line and reeled in a fish.
4. My teenage daughter wears a special device at night to correct her bite.
5. Don't scratch that mosquito bite.

First Known Use of BITE

15th century

Related to BITE

Synonyms

acerbity, acidity, acidness, acridity, acridness, acrimoniousness, acrimony, acuteness, asperity, edge, bitterness, harshness, keenness, poignance, poignancy, pungency, roughness, sharpness, tartness

Antonyms

mildness, softness

Related Words

ginger, punch, spice, tang; raucousness, severeness, severity, shrillness, virulence, vitriol; cattiness, maliciousness; pointedness, thorniness

Near Antonyms

gentleness, kindliness