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| bite [ bīt ] |
verb (past bit, past participle bit·ten [ bítt'n ] or bit [ bit ], present participle bit·ing, 3rd person present singular bites) |
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| Definition: |
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1. transitive and intransitive verb grip with teeth: to hold something tightly, tear something off, or cut through something using the teeth
  I bit into the fruit.
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2. transitive verb pierce skin: to puncture or tear the skin of a person or animal using fangs, teeth, mouthparts, or a stinger
got bitten by a spider
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3. transitive and intransitive verb grip something firmly: to make firm or secure contact with something
This stripped screw isn't biting.
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4. intransitive verb corrode something: to eat into something with a corrosive action
The acid had bitten into the metal surface.
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5. transitive and intransitive verb penetrate something with sharp edge: to cut into something with a sharpened tool or other sharp-edged object
The saw blade bit the wood.
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6. transitive and intransitive verb cause discomfort: to cause a cold sharp sensation that is quite painful
an icy wind that bites to the bone
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7. intransitive verb take bait: to attempt to take the bait that has been placed on the end of a fishing line
(
refers to fish
)
no fish biting today
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8. intransitive verb rise to somebody else's bait: to respond when somebody else tries to get you involved in a scheme or an argument
(
informal
)
Even though baited by the opposing attorney in court, she refused to bite.
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9. intransitive verb be effective: to have an effect or influence
The trade sanctions are at last beginning to bite.
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noun (plural bites) |
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| Definition: |
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1. seizure of something with teeth: the action of taking something between the teeth and tearing it off
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2. mouthful: a piece of food torn off with the teeth
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3. injury from teeth or insect: an injury that has been caused by an animal or insect puncturing or tearing the skin with teeth, fangs, mouthparts, or a stinger
a mosquito bite
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4. attempt by fish to take bait: an attempt by a fish to eat the bait that has been put on the end of a fishing line
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5. piquancy: a pleasantly sharp taste
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6. wit and intelligence: a penetrating and intelligent quality
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7. coldness: a cold sharp sensation that is quite painful
There's a bite in the air today.
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8. mechanical engineering depth of machine tool's blade: the depth to which a machine tool can cut
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9. mechanical engineering grip: the grip that something such as a tool has on something else
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10. dentistry fit of teeth: the way the upper and lower teeth meet and fit together when the jaw is closed
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11. chemistry corrosive effect: the corrosive effect of acid on a surface
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12. fishing period when fish eat: a time when fish usually feed and so are more easily caught
The catfish bite is usually the heaviest and best in the evening.
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| [ Old English bītan< Indo-European] |
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| bit·a·ble adjective |
| bit·er noun |
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bite off more than you can chew to take on more than you can deal with (informal)
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