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definitions

mite

1
[ mahyt ]
/ maɪt /
|
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR mite ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

any of numerous small to microscopic arachnids of the subclass Acari, including species that are parasitic on animals and plants or that feed on decaying matter and stored foods.

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RELATED WORDS

speck, insect, bug, particle, parasite, mote, minim, molecule, atom, bit, tick, smidgen, iota, minute, acarid, nit

Nearby words

  1. mitchell, mount,
  2. mitchell, silas weir,
  3. mitchell, william,
  4. mitchum,
  5. mitchum, robert,
  6. mite typhus,
  7. miter,
  8. miter box,
  9. miter gear,
  10. miter joint

Origin of mite

1
before 1000; Middle English myte, Old English mīte; cognate with Middle Dutch mīte, Old High German miza midge
Also called acarid.

Definition for mite (2 of 2)

mite

2
[ mahyt ]
/ maɪt /

noun

a contribution that is small but is all that a person can afford.
a very small sum of money.
a coin of very small value.
a very small object.
a very small creature.

adverb

to a small extent; somewhat (often preceded by a): a mite selfish.

Origin of mite

2
1300–50; Middle English myte < Middle Dutch mīte small copper coin; ultimately identical with mite1
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for mite

British Dictionary definitions for mite (1 of 2)

mite

1
/ (maɪt) /

noun

any of numerous small free-living or parasitic arachnids of the order Acarina (or Acari) that can occur in terrestrial or aquatic habitatsSee also gall mite, harvest mite, itch mite, spider mite Compare tick 2 Related adjective: acaroid

Word Origin for mite

Old English mīte; compare Old High German mīza gnat, Dutch mijt

British Dictionary definitions for mite (2 of 2)

mite

2
/ (maɪt) /

noun

a very small particle, creature, or object
a very small contribution or sum of moneySee also widow's mite
a former Flemish coin of small value
a mite informal somewhathe's a mite foolish

Word Origin for mite

C14: from Middle Low German, Middle Dutch mīte; compare mite 1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for mite

mite

[ mīt ]

n.

Any of numerous small or minute arachnids of the order Acarina, certain species of which are parasitic on animals and plants, infest stored food products, and in some cases transmit disease.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Science definitions for mite

mite

[ mīt ]

Any of various very small arachnids of the subclass Acari that often live as parasites on other animals or plants. Like ticks and unlike spiders, mites have no division between the cephalothorax and abdomen.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.