- Main Entry:
- 1bite
- Pronunciation:
-
\ˈbīt\
- Function:
- verb
- Inflected Form(s):
- bit \ˈbit\; bit·ten \ˈbi-tən\ 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
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bit·er \ˈbī-tər\ noun —
bite off more than one can chew : to undertake more than one can handle
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bite one's tongue : to hold back (as from a reluctance to offend) a remark one would like to make
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bite the bullet : to enter with resignation upon a difficult or distressing course of action
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bite the dust 1: to fall dead especially in battle2 a: to suffer humiliation or defeat b: to come to an end
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bite the hand that feeds one : to injure a benefactor maliciously
