Word Study
bite
CIDE DICTIONARY
bite, v. t. [OE. biten, AS. bītan; akin to D. bijten, OS. bītan, OHG. bīzan, G. beissen, Goth. beitan, Icel. bīta, Sw. bita, Dan. bide, L. findere to cleave, Skr. bhid to cleave. Fissure.].
- To seize with the teeth, so that they enter or nip the thing seized; to lacerate, crush, or wound with the teeth; as, to bite an apple; to bite a crust; the dog bit a man. [1913 Webster]"Such smiling rogues as these,
Like rats, oft bite the holy cords atwain." [1913 Webster] - To puncture, abrade, or sting with an organ (of some insects) used in taking food. [1913 Webster]
- To cause sharp pain, or smarting, to; to hurt or injure, in a literal or a figurative sense; as, pepper bites the mouth. Shak. [1913 Webster]
- To cheat; to trick; to take in. Pope. [1913 Webster]
- To take hold of; to hold fast; to adhere to; as, the anchor bites the ground. [1913 Webster]"The last screw of the rack having been turned so often that its purchase crumbled, . . . it turned and turned with nothing to bite." [1913 Webster]
bite, v. i.
- To seize something forcibly with the teeth; to wound with the teeth; to have the habit of so doing; as, does the dog bite? [1913 Webster]
- To cause a smarting sensation; to have a property which causes such a sensation; to be pungent; as, it bites like pepper or mustard. [1913 Webster]
- To cause sharp pain; to produce anguish; to hurt or injure; to have the property of so doing. [1913 Webster]"At the last it [wine] biteth like serpent, and stingeth like an adder." [1913 Webster]
- To take a bait into the mouth, as a fish does; hence, to take a tempting offer. [1913 Webster]
- To take or keep a firm hold; as, the anchor bites. [1913 Webster]
bite, n. [OE. bite, bit, bitt, AS. bite bite, fr. bītan to bite, akin to Icel. bit, OS. biti, G. biss. See Bite, v. , and cf. Bit.].
- The act of seizing with the teeth or mouth; the act of wounding or separating with the teeth or mouth; a seizure with the teeth or mouth, as of a bait; as, to give anything a hard bite. [1913 Webster]"I have known a very good fisher angle diligently four or six hours for a river carp, and not have a bite." [1913 Webster]
- The act of puncturing or abrading with an organ for taking food, as is done by some insects. [1913 Webster]
- The wound made by biting; as, the pain of a dog's or snake's bite; the bite of a mosquito. [1913 Webster]
- A morsel; as much as is taken at once by biting. [1913 Webster]
- The hold which the short end of a lever has upon the thing to be lifted, or the hold which one part of a machine has upon another. [1913 Webster]
- A cheat; a trick; a fraud. [1913 Webster]"The baser methods of getting money by fraud and bite, by deceiving and overreaching." [1913 Webster]
- A sharper; one who cheats. Johnson. [1913 Webster]
- A blank on the edge or corner of a page, owing to a portion of the frisket, or something else, intervening between the type and paper. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
bite, v. & n.
--v. (past bit; past part. bitten)
1 tr. cut or puncture using the teeth.
2 tr. (foll. by off, away, etc.) detach with the teeth.
3 tr. (of an insect, snake, etc.) wound with a sting, fangs, etc.
4 intr. (of a wheel, screw, etc.) grip, penetrate.
5 intr. accept bait or an inducement.
6 intr. have a (desired) adverse effect.
7 tr. (in passive) a take in; swindle. b (foll. by by, with, etc.) be infected by (enthusiasm etc.).
8 tr. (as bitten adj.) cause a glowing or smarting pain to (frostbitten).
9 intr. (foll. by at) snap at.
--n.
1 an act of biting.
2 a wound or sore made by biting.
3 a a mouthful of food. b a snack or light meal.
4 the taking of bait by a fish.
5 pungency (esp. of flavour).
6 incisiveness, sharpness.
7 = OCCLUSION 3.
--v. (past bit; past part. bitten)
1 tr. cut or puncture using the teeth.
2 tr. (foll. by off, away, etc.) detach with the teeth.
3 tr. (of an insect, snake, etc.) wound with a sting, fangs, etc.
4 intr. (of a wheel, screw, etc.) grip, penetrate.
5 intr. accept bait or an inducement.
6 intr. have a (desired) adverse effect.
7 tr. (in passive) a take in; swindle. b (foll. by by, with, etc.) be infected by (enthusiasm etc.).
8 tr. (as bitten adj.) cause a glowing or smarting pain to (frostbitten).
9 intr. (foll. by at) snap at.
--n.
1 an act of biting.
2 a wound or sore made by biting.
3 a a mouthful of food. b a snack or light meal.
4 the taking of bait by a fish.
5 pungency (esp. of flavour).
6 incisiveness, sharpness.
7 = OCCLUSION 3.
Idiom
bite back restrain (one's speech etc.) by or as if by biting the lips. bite (or bite on) the bullet sl. behave bravely or stoically. bite the dust sl.
1 die.
2 fail; break down. bite the hand that feeds one hurt or offend a benefactor. bite a person's head off colloq. respond fiercely or angrily. bite one's lip see LIP. bite off more than one can chew take on a commitment one cannot fulfil. once bitten twice shy an unpleasant experience induces caution. put the bite on US sl. borrow or extort money from. what's biting you? sl. what is worrying you?
1 die.
2 fail; break down. bite the hand that feeds one hurt or offend a benefactor. bite a person's head off colloq. respond fiercely or angrily. bite one's lip see LIP. bite off more than one can chew take on a commitment one cannot fulfil. once bitten twice shy an unpleasant experience induces caution. put the bite on US sl. borrow or extort money from. what's biting you? sl. what is worrying you?
Derivative
biter n.
Etymology
OE bitan f. Gmc
THESAURUS
bite
acerbity, acidity, acridity, acrimony, acuminate, acute pain, adhere to, afflict, agonize, ail, allotment, allowance, and sinker, astringency, auger, bait, be a sucker, be keen, be taken in, bear hug, benumb, big end, bigger half, bit, bite the tongue, bitingness, bitterness, bolus, bore, boring pain, briskness, bristle with, broach, budget, burn, causticity, chafe, champ, charley horse, chaw, chew, chew the cud, chew up, chill, chomp, chunk, clamp, clasp, cleave to, clench, clinch, cling, clinging, clip, clutch, collation, commission, contingent, convulse, corrode, countersink, cramp, cramps, crick, crucify, crunch, cud, cut, cuttingness, darting pain, deal, death grip, destiny, devour, distress, dividend, dole, drill, drive, eat, eat away, eat out, eat up, edge, effectiveness, embrace, empierce, end, equal share, erode, etch, excruciate, fall for, fate, fester, fierceness, firm hold, fix, foothold, footing, force, forcefulness, freeze, freeze to, fret, frost, frostbite, fulgurant pain, gall, ginger, girdle pain, give pain, gnash, gnaw, gnawing, go for, go through, gob, gobble up, gore, gouge, gouge out, grapple, grasp, grate, grind, grip, gripe, griping, gulp down, gum, guts, half, halver, hang on, hang on to, harrow, harshness, have an edge, helping, hitch, hold, hold fast, hold on, hold on to, hold tight, hole, honeycomb, hotness, hug, hurt, impale, impressiveness, incisiveness, inflame, inflict pain, interest, iron grip, irritate, jumping pain, keenness, keep hold of, kick, kill by inches, kink, lacerate, lance, lancinating pain, lap up, lick, light lunch, light meal, light repast, line, liveliness, lot, martyr, martyrize, masticate, measure, meed, mess, modicum, moiety, mordacity, mordancy, morsel, mouth, mouthful, mumble, munch, needle, nervosity, nervousness, never let go, nibble, nip, nippiness, nosh, numb, pain, pang, paroxysm, part, penetrate, pepperiness, percentage, perforate, piece, pierce, pinch, pink, poignancy, point, portion, power, prick, prolong the agony, proportion, punch, puncture, purchase, put to torture, quantum, quid, quota, raciness, rack, rake-off, rankle, rasp, ration, ream, ream out, refreshments, refrigerate, relish, riddle, rigor, roughness, rub, ruminate, run through, scour, scrap, scrunch, segment, seizure, severity, share, sharp pain, sharpness, shoot, shooting, shooting pain, sinew, sinewiness, sip, skewer, slice, small share, snack, snap, snappiness, spasm, spear, spice, spiciness, spike, spit, spot of lunch, stab, stabbing pain, stake, stick, stick to, sting, stitch, stock, strength, stridency, stringency, strong language, sup, swallow, swallow anything, swallow hook, swallow whole, swing at, take the bait, tang, tanginess, tap, tartness, taste, teeth, thrill, throes, tight grip, toehold, tooth, tormen, torment, torture, transfix, transpierce, trenchancy, trepan, trephine, tumble for, tweak, twinge, twist, twitch, vehemence, vigor, vigorousness, violence, virulence, vitality, wear away, wound, wrench, wring, zest, zestfulness, zipROGET THESAURUS
bite
Painfulness
VB cause pain, occasion pain, give pain, bring pain, induce pain, produce pain, create pain, inflict pain, pain, hurt, wound, pinch, prick, gripe, pierce, lancinate, cut, hurt the feelings, wound the feelings, grate upon the feelings, grate upon the nerves, jar upon the feelings, wring the heart, pierce the heart, lacerate the heart, break the heart, rend the heart, make the heart bleed, tear the heart strings, rend the heart strings, draw tears from the eyes, sadden, make unhappy, plunge into sorrow, grieve, fash, afflict, distress, cut up, cut to the heart, displease, annoy, incommode, discompose, trouble, disquiet, faze, feaze, feeze, disturb, cross, perplex, molest, tease, tire, irk, vex, mortify, wherret, worry, plague, bother, pester, bore, pother, harass, harry, badger, heckle, bait, beset, infest, persecute, importune, wring, harrow, torment, torture, bullyrag, put to the rack, put to the question, break on the wheel, rack, scarify, cruciate, crucify, convulse, agonize, barb the dart, plant a dagger in the breast, plant a thorn in one's side, irritate, provoke, sting, nettle, try the patience, pique, fret, rile, tweak the nose, chafe, gall, sting to the quick, wound to the quick, cut to the quick, aggrieve, affront, enchafe, enrage, ruffle, sour the temper, give offense, maltreat, bite, snap at, assail, smite, sicken, disgust, revolt, nauseate, disenchant, repel, offend, shock, stink in the nostrils, go against the stomach, turn the stomach, make one sick, set the teeth on edge, go against the grain, grate on the ear, stick in one's throat, stick in one's gizzard, rankle, gnaw, corrode, horrify, appal, appall, freeze the blood, make the flesh creep, make the hair stand on end, make the blood curdle, make the blood run cold, make one shudder, haunt the memory, weigh on the heart, prey on the heart, weigh on the mind, prey on the mind, weigh on the spirits, prey on the spirits, bring one's gray hairs with sorrow to the grave, add a nail to one's coffin.Food
VB eat, feed, fare, devour, swallow, take, gulp, bolt, snap, fall to, despatch, dispatch, discuss, take down, get down, gulp down, lay in, tuck in, lick, pick, peck, gormandize, bite, champ, munch, cranch, craunch, crunch, chew, masticate, nibble, gnaw, mumble, live on, feed upon, batten upon, fatten upon, feast upon, browse, graze, crop, regale, carouse, eat heartily, do justice to, play a good knife and fork, banquet, break bread, break one's fast, breakfast, lunch, dine, take tea, sup, drink in, drink up, drink one's fill, quaff, sip, sup, suck, suck up, lap, swig, swill, chugalug, tipple, empty one's glass, drain the cup, toss off, toss one's glass, wash down, crack a bottle, wet one's whistle, purvey.Physical Pain
VB feel pain, experience pain, suffer pain, undergo pain, suffer, ache, smart, bleed, tingle, shoot, twinge, twitch, lancinate, writhe, wince, make a wry face, sit on thorns, sit on pins and needles, give pain, inflict pain, lacerate, pain, hurt, chafe, sting, bite, gnaw, gripe, pinch, tweak, grate, gall, fret, prick, pierce, wring, convulse, torment, torture, rack, agonize, crucify, cruciate, excruciate, break on the wheel, put to the rack, flog, grate on the ear.Refrigeration
VB cool, fan, refrigerate, refresh, ice, congeal, freeze, glaciate, benumb, starve, pinch, chill, petrify, chill to the marrow, regelate, nip, cut, pierce, bite, make one's teeth chatter, damp, slack quench, put out, stamp out, extinguish, go out, burn out (incombustibility).Acridity
N acridity, astringency, bite, tear gas, smoke, acrid fumes, acrid, biting, astringent, sharp, harsh, bitter, (5) Sound (i) SOUND IN GENERAL.Deception
N deception, falseness, untruth, imposition, imposture, fraud, deceit, guile, fraudulence, fraudulency, covin, knavery, misrepresentation, bluff, straw-bail, straw bid, spoof, delusion, gullery, juggling, jugglery, slight of hand, legerdemain, prestigiation, prestidigitation, magic, conjuring, conjuration, hocus-pocus, escamoterie, jockeyship, trickery, coggery, chicanery, supercherie, cozenage, circumvention, ingannation, collusion, treachery, practical joke, trick, cheat, wile, blind, feint, plant, bubble, fetch, catch, chicane, juggle, reach, hocus, bite, card sharping, stacked deck, loaded dice, quick shuffle, double dealing, dealing seconds, dealing from the bottom of the deck, artful dodge, swindle, tricks upon travelers, stratagem, confidence trick, fake, hoax, theft, ballot-box stuffing, barney, brace game, bunko game, drop game, gum game, panel game, shell game, thimblerig, skin game, snare, trap, pitfall, decoy, gin, springe, springle, noose, hoot, bait, decoy-duck, tub to the whale, baited trap, guet-a-pens, cobweb, net, meshes, toils, mouse trap, birdlime, dionaea, Venus's flytrap, ambush, trapdoor, sliding panel, false bottom, spring-net, spring net, spring gun, mask, masked battery, mine, flytrap, green goods, panel house, Cornish hug, wolf in sheep's clothing, disguise, disguisement, false colors, masquerade, mummery, borrowed plumes, pattes de velours, mockery, copy, counterfeit, sham, make- believe, forgery, fraud, lie, a delusion a mockery and a snare, hollow mockery, whited sepulcher, painted sepulcher, tinsel, paste, junk jewelry, costume jewelry, false jewelry, synthetic jewels, scagliola, ormolu, German silver, albata, paktong, white metal, Britannia metal, paint, veneer, jerry building, man of straw, illusion, ignis fatuus, mirage, deceived, deceiving, cunning, prestigious, prestigiatory, deceptive, deceptious, deceitful, covinous, delusive, delusory, illusive, illusory, elusive, insidious, ad captandum vulgus, untrue, mock, sham, make-believe, counterfeit, snide, pseudo, spurious, supposititious, so-called, pretended, feigned, trumped up, bogus, scamped, fraudulent, tricky, factitious bastard, surreptitious, illegitimate, contraband, adulterated, sophisticated, unsound, rotten at the core, colorable, disguised, meretricious, tinsel, pinchbeck, plated, catchpenny, Brummagem, artificial, synthetic, ersatz, simulated, under false colors, under the garb of, under cover of, over the left, keep the word of promise to the ear and break it t, fronti nulla fides, ah that deceit should steal such gentle shapes, a quicksand of deceit, decipimur specie recti, falsi crimen, fraus est celare fraudem, lupus in fabula, so smooth, he daubed his vice with show of virtue.VB deceive, take in, defraud, cheat, jockey, do, cozen, diddle, nab, chouse, play one false, bilk, cully, jilt, bite, pluck, swindle, victimize, abuse, mystify, blind one's eyes, blindfold, hoodwink, throw dust into the eyes, dupe, gull, hoax, fool, befool, bamboozle, flimflam, hornswoggle, trick, impose upon, practice upon, play upon, put upon, palm off on, palm upon, foist upon, snatch a verdict, bluff off, bluff, bunko, four flush, gum, spoof, stuff (a ballot box), circumvent, overreach, outreach, out wit, out maneuver, steal a march upon, give the go-by, to leave in the lurch decoy, waylay, lure, beguile, delude, inveigle, entrap, intrap, ensnare, nick, springe, set a trap, lay a trap, lay a snare for, bait the hook, forelay, spread the toils, lime, trapan, trepan, kidnap, let in, hook in, nousle, nousel, blind a trail, enmesh, immesh, shanghai, catch, catch in a trap, sniggle, entangle, illaqueate, hocus, escamoter, practice on one's credulity, hum, humbug, gammon, stuff up, sell, play a trick upon one, play a practical joke upon one, put something over on one, put one over on, balk, trip up, throw a tub to a whale, fool to the top of one's bent, send on a fool's errand, make game, make a fool of, make an April fool of, make an ass of, trifle with, cajole, flatter, come over, gild the pill, make things pleasant, divert, put a good face upon, dissemble, cog, cog the dice, load the dice, stack the deck, live by one's wits, play at hide and seek, obtain money under false pretenses, conjure, juggle, practice chicanery, deacon, play off, palm off, foist off, fob-off, lie, misinform, mislead, betray, be deceived.
Dupe
VB be deceived, be the dupe of, fall into a trap, swallow the bait, nibble at the bait, bite, catch a Tartar.Engraving
VB engrave, grave, stipple, scrape, etch, bite, bite in, lithograph, print.For further exploring for "bite" in Webster Dictionary Online