bite
bite Lexical Profile
bite Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An act of cutting, gripping, or piercing something with the teeth, jaws, or mouthparts, or the wound resulting from such an action.
"She applied a soothing cream to the mosquito bite on her arm."
A small piece or mouthful of food bitten off, or a light snack or meal.
"Let us grab a quick bite to eat before the evening lecture begins."
A sharp, pungent, or incisive quality in taste, cold weather, or critical expression.
"The aged cheddar had a pleasant, tangy bite that paired well with the apples."
The alignment or occlusion of the upper and lower teeth when the jaws are closed, or the firm mechanical grip of a tool or tire on a surface.
"The dentist recommended braces to correct the alignment of his bite."
• verb
To cut, grip, or tear into something using the teeth or jaws.
"She paused to bite into the crisp red apple."
To pierce, sting, or wound the skin with mouthparts or fangs (of an insect, spider, or snake).
"Midges and mosquitoes tend to bite more frequently near stagnant water at dusk."
To take bait or a lure (of a fish), or figuratively to accept an offer, provocation, or deception.
"The trout were reluctant to bite during the brightest hours of the afternoon."
To grip, catch, or hold a surface firmly (of a wheel, tool, gear, or corrosive substance), or to begin to produce a noticeable unpleasant effect.
"The winter tires are designed to bite into packed snow and icy pavement."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse with the homophone 'bight' (a curve in a coastline or a loop in a rope) or 'byte' (a unit of digital information).
• Rhymes for bite
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'bītan', from Proto-Germanic '*bītaną', ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European root '*bʰeyd-' meaning 'to split' or 'to cleave'.