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n. Idioms: 1. A small portion, degree, or amount: a bit of lint; a bit of luck. 2. A brief amount of time; a moment: Wait a bit. 3. a. A short scene or episode in a theatrical performance. b. A bit part. 4. An entertainment routine given regularly by a performer; an act. 5. Informal a. A particular kind of action, situation, or behavior: got tired of the macho bit. b. A matter being considered: What's this bit about inflation? 6. Informal An amount equal to one eighth of a dollar: two bits. 7. Chiefly British A small coin: a threepenny bit. a bit To a small degree; somewhat: a bit warm. bit by bit Little by little; gradually. do (one's) bit To do one's part or contribute one's share. [Middle English bite, morsel, from Old English bita; see bheid- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
n. 1. The sharp part of a tool, such as the cutting edge of a knife or axe. 2. A pointed and threaded tool for drilling and boring that is secured in a brace, bitstock, or drill press. 3. The part of a key that enters the lock and engages the bolt and tumblers. 4. The tip of the mouthpiece on a pipe or a cigarette or cigar holder. 5. The metal mouthpiece of a bridle, serving to control, curb, and direct an animal. 6. Something that controls, guides, or curbs. tr.v. bit·ted, bit·ting, bits Idiom: 1. To place a bit in the mouth of (a horse, for example). 2. To check or control with or as if with a bit. 3. To make or grind a bit on (a key). have/take the bit in one's teeth To be uncontrollable; cast off restraint. [Middle English bite, from Old English, act of biting; see bheid- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
n. Computers A binary digit, having either the value 0 or 1, used to store or represent data. [From B(INARY DIG)IT.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
v. Past tense and a past participle of bite. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.
