Part 1149

<note>&hand; This word is used, also, like <i>jot</i> and <i>whit</i>, to express the smallest degree; as, he is not a <i>bit</i> wiser.</note>

<p><b>3.</b> <def>A tool for boring, of various forms and sizes, usually turned by means of a brace or bitstock. See <er>Bitstock</er>.</def>

<p><b>4.</b> <def>The part of a key which enters the lock and acts upon the bolt and tumblers.</def>

<i>Knight.</i>

<p><b>5.</b> <def>The cutting iron of a plane.</def>

<i>Knight.</i>

<p><b>6.</b> <def>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.</def>

<cs><col>Bit my bit</col>, <cd>piecemeal.</cd></cs>

<i> Pope.</i>

<h1>Bit</h1> <Xpage=149>

<hw>Bit</hw>, <tt>3d sing. pr.</tt> <def>of <er>Bid</er>, for <i>biddeth</i>.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Chaucer.</i>

<h1>Bitake</h1> <Xpage=149>

<hw>Bi*take"</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <ety>[See <er>Betake</er>, <er>Betaught</er>.]</ety> <def>To commend; to commit.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<i>Chaucer.</i>

<h1>Bitangent</h1> <Xpage=149>

<hw>Bi*tan"gent</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[Pref. <ets>bi-</ets> + <ets>tangent</ets>.]</ety> <fld>(Geom.)</fld> <def>Possessing the property of touching at two points.</def> -- <def2><tt>n.</tt> <def>A line that touches a curve in two points.</def></def2>

<h1>Bitartrate</h1> <Xpage=149>

<hw>Bi*tar"trate</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <fld>(Chem.)</fld> <def>A salt of tartaric acid in which the base replaces but half the acid hydrogen; an acid tartrate, as cream of tartar.</def>

<h1>Bitch</h1> <Xpage=149>

<hw>Bitch</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[OE. <ets>biche</ets>, <ets>bicche</ets>, AS. <ets>bicce</ets>; cf. Icel. <ets>bikkja</ets>, G. <ets>betze</ets>, <ets>peize</ets>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>The female of the canine kind, as of the dog, wolf, and fox.</def>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>An opprobrious name for a woman, especially a lewd woman.</def>

<i>Pope.</i>

<h1>Bite</h1> <Xpage=149>

<hw>Bite</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <wordforms>[<tt>imp.</tt> <er>Bit</er> <tt>(?)</tt>; <tt>p. p.</tt> <er>Bitten</er> <tt>(?)</tt>, <er>Bit</er>; <tt>p. pr. & vb. n.</tt> <er>Biting</er>.]</wordforms> <ety>[OE. <ets>biten</ets>, AS. <ets>b\'c6tan</ets>; akin to D. <ets>bijten</ets>, OS. <ets>b\'c6tan</ets>, OHG. <ets>b\'c6zan</ets>, G. <ets>beissen</ets>, Goth. <ets>beitan</ets>, Icel. <ets>b\'c6ta</ets>, Sw. <ets>bita</ets>, Dan. <ets>bide</ets>, L. <ets>findere</ets> to cleave, Skr. <ets>bhid</ets> to cleave. &root;87. Cf. <er>Fissure</er>.]</ety>

<p><b>1.</b> <def>To seize with the teeth, so that they enter or nip the thing seized; to lacerate, crush, or wound with the teeth; <as>as, to <ex>bite</ex> an apple; to <ex>bite</ex> a crust; the dog <ex>bit</ex> a man.</as></def>

<blockquote>Such smiling rogues as these, Like rats, oft <b>bite</b> the holy cords atwain. <i> Shak.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>To puncture, abrade, or sting with an organ (of some insects) used in taking food.</def>