bit

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈbit

a(1)

: the biting or cutting edge or part of a tool

(2)

: a replaceable part of a compound tool that actually performs the function (such as drilling or boring) for which the whole tool is designed

put a new bit in the drill

used a 1/4 inch bit to make the hole

bits plural : the jaws (see jaw entry 1 sense 2a) of tongs or pincers

: something bitten or held with the teeth:

: the usually steel part of a bridle inserted in the mouth of a horse

: the rimmed mouth end on the stem of a pipe or cigar holder

: something that curbs or restrains

: the part of a key that enters the lock and acts on the bolt and tumblers (see tumbler sense 3a)

bit

2 of 4

verb

bitted; bitting

transitive verb

: to put part of a bridle in the mouth of (a horse) : to put a bit (see bit entry 1 sense 2a) in the mouth of (a horse)

: to control as if with a bit

: to form a bit (see bit entry 1 sense 4) on (a key)

bit

3 of 4

noun (2)

: a small quantity of food

especially : a small delicacy

: a small piece or quantity of some material thing

broken bits of glass

picking bits of lint off her sweater

b(1)

British : a coin of a specified small denomination

a threepenny bit

(2)

: a unit of value equal to ¹/₈ of a U.S. dollar (12 ¹/₂ cents)

—used only of even multiples

four bits

Note: No coin was ever issued in this amount.

noun (3)

computers : a unit of computer information equivalent to the result of a choice between two alternatives (such as yes or no, on or off)

computers : the physical representation of a bit by an electrical pulse, a magnetized spot, or a hole whose presence or absence indicates data

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English bite, bit "bite of an animal, cutting edge, point, mouthpiece of a bridle," going back to Old English bite "bite of an animal, cut from a weapon," going back to Germanic *biti- (whence Old Saxon biti "bite, sting," Old High German biz [gebiz "mouthpiece of a bridle"], Old Norse bit), noun derivative from the base of *bītan- "to bite" — more at bite entry 1

Verb

derivative of bit entry 1

Noun (2)

Middle English bite, bit "mouthful of food, morsel," going back to Old English bita, bite, going back to Germanic *bitan- (whence Middle Dutch bete "morsel," Old High German bizzo, Old Norse biti), noun derivative from the base of *bītan- "to bite" — more at bite entry 1

Noun (3)

from binary digit

Note: The term bit was introduced into general circulation by Claude shannon in "A Mathematical Theory of Communication," Bell System Technical Journal, vol. 27, July, 1948, p. 380: "The choice of a logarithmic base corresponds to the choice of a unit for measuring information. If the base 2 is used the resulting units may be called binary digits, or more briefly bits, a word suggested by J.W. Tukey." The American mathematician John W. Tukey (1915-2000) had used the word in a Bell Labs memorandum, "Sequential Conversion of Continuous Data to Digital Data," dated January 9, 1947. Tukey employed bit as a counterpart in a binary system to digit in the decimal system. For details see "The Origin of Bit" in the "Anecdotes" section of Annals of the History of Computing, vol 6, no. 2 (April, 1984), pp. 152-55.

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (3)

1948, in the meaning defined at sense 1

bit 1 of 2

noun

as in speck

a very small piece she left only a bit of the broccoli on her plate

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

speck
particle
snippet
fleck
scrap
grain
patch
mouthful
shred
sliver
crumb
bite
molecule
lick
drop
nugget
tittle
mote
dribble
snip
atom
smidgen
fragment
granule
morsel
nubbin
pinch
portion
smidge
scruple
whisper
section
fraction
trace
dash
flyspeck
nibble
smidgeon
part
modicum
taste
touch
smidgin
iota
whit
dab
mite
ounce
tidbit
nutshell
jot
streak
shard
suspicion
spot
ha'penny
smatter
clipping
halfpenny
strain
flake
titbit
minim
ace
kenning
chip
splinter
shiver
paring
shaving
haet
driblet
smithereens

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

chunk
slab
lump
quantity
loads
volume
heaps
pile
gob
bucket
hunk
mass
deal
mountain
wealth
abundance
stack
pot
barrel
raft
profusion
bushel
wad
peck
scads

as in piece

a broken or irregular part of something that often remains incomplete bits of cookie scattered on the table

Synonyms & Similar Words

piece
fragment
fraction
scrap
sliver
remnant
portion
shred
shard
section
segment
remainder
speck
leftover
tatter
snippet
stub
grain
patch
end
flake
chip
nugget
splinter
clipping
shiver
fleck
tittle
particle
molecule
crumb
paring
snip
morsel
mote
dribble
shatter
shaving
oddment
granule
cantle
atom
scruple
nubbin
flyspeck

as in little

a very small amount I'll have only a bit of food right now

Synonyms & Similar Words

little
tad
splash
sprinkling
hint
glimmer
shred
touch
speck
lick
smidgen
dab
trace
spark
particle
smidge
handful
smidgeon
smack
sliver
ounce
smidgin
bite
mite
pinch
minimum
ray
dram
portion
skosh
streak
spatter
crumb
shade
suspicion
smell
scintilla
soupçon
fleck
dash
spot
nip
dose
strain
drop
scruple
peanuts
part
shadow
ace
taste
grain
drop in the bucket
snap
modicum
section
whit
nibble
iota
semblance
driblet
molecule
jot
patch
syllable
fragment
vestige
tittle
dot
mote
atom
hoot
granule
scrap
morsel
nubbin
smattering
minim
scattering
flyspeck
flake
shiver
smatter
splinter
shard
chip
clipping
tatter
paring
shaving
smithereens
shot

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lot
plenty
loads
quantity
heaps
pile
mess
bucket
mass
deal
mountain
wealth
abundance
stack
bundle
barrel
much
boatload
raft
volume
wad
gobs
peck
profusion
oodles
bushel
fistful
scads
reams
excess
passel
lashings
surplus
embarrassment
overkill
overflow
potful
chunk
overmuch
surfeit
overabundance
bonanza
superabundance
slab
lashins
superfluity
oversupply
overage
lump
hunk

as in while

an indefinite but usually short period of time this will only take a bit

Synonyms & Similar Words

while
space
stretch
span
minute
second
day
spell
season
moment
lapse
era
epoch
split second
instant
spurt
interlude
twinkle
shake
interval
jiffy
heartbeat
trice
nanosecond
twinkling
wink
infinity
interim
beat
flash
eyeblink
intermission
New York minute
aeon
eon
age
jiff
perpetuity
eternity

as in act

a performance regularly presented by an individual or group known for a comedic bit in which she portrayed a very nervous student driver

Synonyms & Similar Words

act
turn
routine
number
shtick
schtick
shtik
signature

as in treat

something that is pleasing to eat because it is rare or a luxury wielding silver trays, the servers offered partygoers a variety of exotic-looking bits

Synonyms & Similar Words

treat
tidbit
sweet
dainty
candy
titbit
delectable
goody
kickshaw
goodie
cate
viand
delicacy
morsel
dessert
junket
sweetmeat

bit

2 of 2

verb

past tense of bite, informal + sometimes impolite

as in sucked

to be objectionable or unsatisfactory man, that really bites that you have to work on the weekend

Synonyms & Similar Words

sucked
smelt
smelled
stank
stunk

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

ruled
rocked

单词	bit
释义	bit 1 of 4 noun (1) ˈbit 1 a(1) : the biting or cutting edge or part of a tool (2) : a replaceable part of a compound tool that actually performs the function (such as drilling or boring) for which the whole tool is designed put a new bit in the drill used a 1/4 inch bit to make the hole b bits plural : the jaws (see jaw entry 1 sense 2a) of tongs or pincers 2 : something bitten or held with the teeth: a : the usually steel part of a bridle inserted in the mouth of a horse b : the rimmed mouth end on the stem of a pipe or cigar holder 3 : something that curbs or restrains 4 : the part of a key that enters the lock and acts on the bolt and tumblers (see tumbler sense 3a) Illustration of bit 1curb 2 snaffle bit 2 of 4 verb bitted; bitting transitive verb 1 a : to put part of a bridle in the mouth of (a horse) : to put a bit (see bit entry 1 sense 2a) in the mouth of (a horse) b : to control as if with a bit 2 : to form a bit (see bit entry 1 sense 4) on (a key) bit 3 of 4 noun (2) 1 : a small quantity of food especially : a small delicacy 2 a : a small piece or quantity of some material thing broken bits of glass picking bits of lint off her sweater b(1) British : a coin of a specified small denomination a threepenny bit (2) : a unit of value equal to ¹/₈ of a U.S. dollar (12 ¹/₂ cents) —used only of even multiples four bits Note: No coin was ever issued in this amount. see also two bits sense 1 3 : something small or unimportant of its kind: such as a : a brief period : while wait a bit longer b : an indefinite usually small degree, extent, or amount a bit of a rascal every bit as powerful a bit too sweet c theater (1) : a small part usually with spoken lines in a theatrical performance a bit part bit players (2) : a usually short theatrical routine a corny comedy bit 4 : the aggregate of items, situations, or activities appropriate to a given style, genre, or role rejected the whole bit about love-marriage-motherhood Vance Packard bit 4 of 4 noun (3) 1 computers : a unit of computer information equivalent to the result of a choice between two alternatives (such as yes or no, on or off) 2 computers : the physical representation of a bit by an electrical pulse, a magnetized spot, or a hole whose presence or absence indicates data Phrases a bit : somewhat, rather the play was a bit dull a bit much : a little more than one wants to endure finds his constant joking a bit much bit by bit : by degrees : little by little getting better bit by bit to bits : totally, thoroughly thrilled to bits Synonyms Noun (2) atom crumb dribble fleck flyspeck grain granule molecule morsel mote nubbin nugget particle patch scrap scruple snip snippet speck tittle See all Synonyms & Antonyms Word History Etymology Noun (1) Middle English bite, bit "bite of an animal, cutting edge, point, mouthpiece of a bridle," going back to Old English bite "bite of an animal, cut from a weapon," going back to Germanic biti- (whence Old Saxon biti* "bite, sting," Old High German biz [gebiz "mouthpiece of a bridle"], Old Norse bit), noun derivative from the base of bītan- "to bite" — more at bite entry 1 Verb derivative of bit entry 1 Noun (2) Middle English bite, bit* "mouthful of food, morsel," going back to Old English bita, bite, going back to Germanic bitan- (whence Middle Dutch bete* "morsel," Old High German bizzo, Old Norse biti), noun derivative from the base of bītan- "to bite" — more at bite entry 1 Noun (3) from binary digit Note: The term bit* was introduced into general circulation by Claude shannon in "A Mathematical Theory of Communication," Bell System Technical Journal, vol. 27, July, 1948, p. 380: "The choice of a logarithmic base corresponds to the choice of a unit for measuring information. If the base 2 is used the resulting units may be called binary digits, or more briefly bits, a word suggested by J.W. Tukey." The American mathematician John W. Tukey (1915-2000) had used the word in a Bell Labs memorandum, "Sequential Conversion of Continuous Data to Digital Data," dated January 9, 1947. Tukey employed bit as a counterpart in a binary system to digit in the decimal system. For details see "The Origin of Bit" in the "Anecdotes" section of Annals of the History of Computing, vol 6, no. 2 (April, 1984), pp. 152-55. First Known Use Noun (1) 14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1) Verb 1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1a Noun (2) before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Noun (3) 1948, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Phrases Containing bit a bit of all right a little bit a bit of crumpet a bit strong bit by bit a wee bit bit player a bit much champing at the bit do one's bit hair of the dog (that bit you) get/take the bit between one's teeth every bit not a/one bit not a bit of it not a blind bit not (in) the least/smallest/slightest/tiniest bit quite a bit two-bit the whole bit a bit of a/an bit rot sixpenny bit bit rate bit stream parity bit chomping at the bit a bit See More a bit of all right a little bit a bit of crumpet a bit strong bit by bit a wee bit bit player a bit much champing at the bit do one's bit hair of the dog (that bit you) get/take the bit between one's teeth every bit not a/one bit not a bit of it not a blind bit not (in) the least/smallest/slightest/tiniest bit quite a bit two-bit the whole bit a bit of a/an bit rot sixpenny bit bit rate bit stream parity bit chomping at the bit a bit See More Kids Definition bit 1 of 3 noun ˈbit 1 : a small piece or quantity a bit of food 2 : a short time Rest a bit. bit 2 of 3 noun 1 : a part of a bridle that is put in the horse's mouth 2 : the cutting or boring edge or part of a tool bit 3 of 3 noun : a unit of computer information that represents the selection of one of two possible choices (as on or off) bit 1 of 2 noun 1 as in speck a very small piece she left only a bit of the broccoli on her plate Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance speck particle snippet fleck scrap grain patch mouthful shred sliver crumb bite molecule lick drop nugget tittle mote dribble snip atom smidgen fragment granule morsel nubbin pinch portion smidge scruple whisper section fraction trace dash flyspeck nibble smidgeon part modicum taste touch smidgin iota whit dab mite ounce tidbit nutshell jot streak shard suspicion spot ha'penny smatter clipping halfpenny strain flake titbit minim ace kenning chip splinter shiver paring shaving haet driblet smithereens Antonyms & Near Antonyms chunk slab lump quantity loads volume heaps pile gob bucket hunk mass deal mountain wealth abundance stack pot barrel raft profusion bushel wad peck scads See More 2 as in piece a broken or irregular part of something that often remains incomplete bits of cookie scattered on the table Synonyms & Similar Words piece fragment fraction scrap sliver remnant portion shred shard section segment remainder speck leftover tatter snippet stub grain patch end flake chip nugget splinter clipping shiver fleck tittle particle molecule crumb paring snip morsel mote dribble shatter shaving oddment granule cantle atom scruple nubbin flyspeck 3 as in little a very small amount I'll have only a bit of food right now Synonyms & Similar Words little tad splash sprinkling hint glimmer shred touch speck lick smidgen dab trace spark particle smidge handful smidgeon smack sliver ounce smidgin bite mite pinch minimum ray dram portion skosh streak spatter crumb shade suspicion smell scintilla soupçon fleck dash spot nip dose strain drop scruple peanuts part shadow ace taste grain drop in the bucket snap modicum section whit nibble iota semblance driblet molecule jot patch syllable fragment vestige tittle dot mote atom hoot granule scrap morsel nubbin smattering minim scattering flyspeck flake shiver smatter splinter shard chip clipping tatter paring shaving smithereens shot Antonyms & Near Antonyms lot plenty loads quantity heaps pile mess bucket mass deal mountain wealth abundance stack bundle barrel much boatload raft volume wad gobs peck profusion oodles bushel fistful scads reams excess passel lashings surplus embarrassment overkill overflow potful chunk overmuch surfeit overabundance bonanza superabundance slab lashins superfluity oversupply overage lump hunk See More 4 as in while an indefinite but usually short period of time this will only take a bit Synonyms & Similar Words while space stretch span minute second day spell season moment lapse era epoch split second instant spurt interlude twinkle shake interval jiffy heartbeat trice nanosecond twinkling wink infinity interim beat flash eyeblink intermission New York minute aeon eon age jiff perpetuity eternity 5 as in act a performance regularly presented by an individual or group known for a comedic bit in which she portrayed a very nervous student driver Synonyms & Similar Words act turn routine number shtick schtick shtik signature 6 as in treat something that is pleasing to eat because it is rare or a luxury wielding silver trays, the servers offered partygoers a variety of exotic-looking bits Synonyms & Similar Words treat tidbit sweet dainty candy titbit delectable goody kickshaw goodie cate viand delicacy morsel dessert junket sweetmeat bit 2 of 2 verb past tense of bite, informal + sometimes impolite as in sucked to be objectionable or unsatisfactory man, that really bites that you have to work on the weekend Synonyms & Similar Words sucked smelt smelled stank stunk Antonyms & Near Antonyms ruled rocked Phrases Containing bit a bit bit by bit champing at the bit the whole bit a bit much quite a bit chomping at the bit a bit bit by bit champing at the bit the whole bit a bit much quite a bit chomping at the bit See More
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bit

noun (1)

Illustration of bit

verb

noun (2)

noun (3)

Synonyms

Word History

Phrases Containing bit

Kids Definition

noun

noun

noun

noun

verb

Phrases Containing bit