mite

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mite1 / mīt/ • n. a minute arachnid (order or subclass Acari) that has four pairs of legs when adult, related to the ticks. Many kinds live in the soil and a number are parasitic on plants or animals.mite2 • n. 1. a small child or animal, esp. when regarded as an object of sympathy: the poor little mite looks half-starved.2. a very small amount: his teacher thought he needed a mite of discipline. ∎ hist. a small coin, in particular a small Flemish copper coin of very low face value. See also widow's mite.• adv. (a mite) inf. a little; slightly: all evening he's seemed a mite awkward.

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