Bit , n. In the British West Indies, a fourpenny piece, or groat.
Bit , 3d sing.
pr. of Bid, for biddeth. [Obs.]
Chaucer.
Bit , n. [OE. bite, AS. bita, fr. bītan to
bite; akin to D. beet, G. bissen bit, morsel, Icel. biti.
See Bite, v., and cf. Bit part of
a bridle.]
1.
A part of
anything, such as may be bitten off or
taken into the mouth; a morsel; a bite. Hence: A
small piece of anything; a little; a mite.
2. Somewhat; something, but not very
great.
My young companion was a bit of a poet.
T.
Hook.
&fist; This word is used, also, like jot and whit, to express the smallest degree; as, he
is not a bit wiser.
3. A tool for boring, of various forms and sizes, usually
turned by means of a brace or bitstock. See Bitstock.
4.
The part of a key which enters the lock and acts upon the bolt
and tumblers. Knight.
5. The cutting iron of a plane. Knight.
6. In the
Southern and Southwestern States, a small silver coin (as the real) formerly current; commonly, one worth about 12 1/2 cents; also, the sum of 12
1/2 cents.
Bit my
bit, piecemeal. Pope.
Bit , imp. & p. p. of
Bite.
Bit , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bitted (&?;);
p. pr. & vb. n.
Bitting.]
To put a bridle upon; to put the bit in the mouth of.
Bit (&?;), n. [OE. bitt, bite, AS. bite, bite, fr. bītan to bite. See Bite, n. &
v., and cf. Bit a morsel.]
1. The part of a bridle, usually of iron, which is inserted in the mouth of
a horse, and
having appendages to which the reins are fastened.
Shak.
The foamy bridle with the bit of gold.
Chaucer.
2. Fig.: Anything which curbs or restrains.
Hear it pronounced