bit

views updated

bit1
A. †biting, bite OE.; †cutting edge XIV; boring-piece, borer XVI;

B. mouth-piece of a bridle XIV. OE. bite = OS. biti, OHG. biz (G. biss), ON. bit :- Gmc. *bitiz, f. *bītan BITE. The origin of sense B is not clear; cf. OE. bitol bridle, ON. bitull, G. gebiss.

More From encyclopedia.com