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 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 : cheatintransitive 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