Mites are very tiny creatures that live on plants, for example, or in animals' fur.
...an itching skin disorder caused by parasitic mites.
3. countable noun [adjective NOUN]
If you refer to a small child as a poor little mite, you mean that you feel sorry for them.
[mainly British, informal]
The poor mite was so ill.
More Synonyms of mite
mite in British English1
(maɪt)
noun
any of numerous small free-living or parasitic arachnids of the order Acarina (or Acari) that can occur in terrestrial or aquatic habitats
See also gall mite, harvest mite, itch mite, spider mite, Compare tick2 ▶ Related adjective: acaroid
Word origin
Old English mīte; compare Old High German mīza gnat, Dutch mijt
mite in British English2
(maɪt)
noun
1.
a very small particle, creature, or object
2.
a very small contribution or sum of money
See also widow's mite
3.
a former Flemish coin of small value
4. a mite
Word origin
C14: from Middle Low German, Middle Dutch mīte; compare mite1
mite in American English1
(maɪt)
noun
any of a large subclass (Acari) of tiny, sometimes microscopic, arachnids often parasitic upon animals, insects, or plants, or infesting prepared foods, including many species that transmit diseases
Word origin
ME < OE, akin to OHG miza, a gnat < IE base *mai-, to cut, cut off > UNRESOLVED CROSS REF
mite in American English2
(maɪt)
noun
1.
a.
a very small sum of money or contribution
see also widow's mite
b. Obsolete
a coin of very small value
2.
bit2 (sense 1) bit2 (sense 1b)
3.
a very small creature or object
Word origin
ME < MDu, ult. same as mite1
Examples of 'mite' in a sentence
mite
The little mite had been covered by a white blanket.
The Sun (2016)
Let's hope the poor mite feels better this time.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The picture of these poor mites could not be more wretched.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Will she be found or will something awful happen to the little mite?
The Sun (2008)
This can make the experience feel a mite less magical.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
One particular problem is a mite which causes the buds to swell and can spread viruses.
The Sun (2007)
One poor mite was squashed at the back of the pack with an elbow in the eye.
The Sun (2009)
Doctors were unable to save the little mite.
The Sun (2008)
Now they know how that poor little mite felt.
The Sun (2008)
No wonder the poor mite caught her death and had to pull out.
The Sun (2008)
No doubt there will be the usual round of lucrative magazine deals and photo opportunities surrounding the little mite.
The Sun (2014)
That poor little mite should have been taken away from his filthy home and placed with loving adoptive parents.
The Sun (2008)
How does the poor mite cope?
The Sun (2011)
Dust mites live in our beds, feeding off dead skin.
The Sun (2011)
The question is: who loves the little mite enough to let him go?
The Sun (2013)
Also shown in close-up are domestic dust mites and other little critters grazing on pavement moss.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The twisted, evil parents of the poor little mite are.
The Sun (2007)
This helps reduce disease and pest problems, such as big bud mite that causes the buds to swell.
The Sun (2010)
I reckon they were all dazzled by dollar signs and thought they would make a fortune from the eight little mites.
The Sun (2012)
British boffins found it makes beds less appealing to house dust mites, the tiny creatures thought to cause asthma and other allergies.
The Sun (2012)
The gorgeous little mite is, luckily, too young to understand.
The Sun (2014)
A This is likely to be pear leaf blister mites, which live inside the leaves.