Main Entry:

¹bite

Pronunciation:

\ˈbīt\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

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

Etymology:

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

Date:

before 12th century

transitive verb1 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 proboscis2: to cut or pierce with or as if with an edged weapon3: to cause sharp pain or stinging discomfort to4: to take hold of5archaic : to take in : cheatintransitive verb1: to bite or have the habit of biting something2of a weapon or tool : to cut, pierce, or take hold3: to cause irritation or smarting4: corrode5 aof 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 hold7: to produce a negative effect <the recession began to bite>8slang : 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 battle2 a: to suffer humiliation or defeat b: to come to an end

— bite the hand that feeds one

: to injure a benefactor maliciously