bit

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈbit

a(1)

: the biting or cutting edge or part of a tool

(2)

: a replaceable part of a compound tool that actually performs the function (such as drilling or boring) for which the whole tool is designed

put a new bit in the drill

used a 1/4 inch bit to make the hole

bits plural : the jaws (see jaw entry 1 sense 2a) of tongs or pincers

: something bitten or held with the teeth:

: the usually steel part of a bridle inserted in the mouth of a horse

: the rimmed mouth end on the stem of a pipe or cigar holder

: something that curbs or restrains

: the part of a key that enters the lock and acts on the bolt and tumblers (see tumbler sense 3a)

bit

2 of 4

verb

bitted; bitting

transitive verb

: to put part of a bridle in the mouth of (a horse) : to put a bit (see bit entry 1 sense 2a) in the mouth of (a horse)

: to control as if with a bit

: to form a bit (see bit entry 1 sense 4) on (a key)

bit

3 of 4

noun (2)

: a small quantity of food

especially : a small delicacy

: a small piece or quantity of some material thing

broken bits of glass

picking bits of lint off her sweater

b(1)

British : a coin of a specified small denomination

a threepenny bit

(2)

: a unit of value equal to ¹/₈ of a U.S. dollar (12 ¹/₂ cents)

—used only of even multiples

four bits

Note: No coin was ever issued in this amount.

noun (3)

computers : a unit of computer information equivalent to the result of a choice between two alternatives (such as yes or no, on or off)

computers : the physical representation of a bit by an electrical pulse, a magnetized spot, or a hole whose presence or absence indicates data

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English bite, bit "bite of an animal, cutting edge, point, mouthpiece of a bridle," going back to Old English bite "bite of an animal, cut from a weapon," going back to Germanic *biti- (whence Old Saxon biti "bite, sting," Old High German biz [gebiz "mouthpiece of a bridle"], Old Norse bit), noun derivative from the base of *bītan- "to bite" — more at bite entry 1

Verb

derivative of bit entry 1

Noun (2)

Middle English bite, bit "mouthful of food, morsel," going back to Old English bita, bite, going back to Germanic *bitan- (whence Middle Dutch bete "morsel," Old High German bizzo, Old Norse biti), noun derivative from the base of *bītan- "to bite" — more at bite entry 1

Noun (3)

from binary digit

Note: The term bit was introduced into general circulation by Claude shannon in "A Mathematical Theory of Communication," Bell System Technical Journal, vol. 27, July, 1948, p. 380: "The choice of a logarithmic base corresponds to the choice of a unit for measuring information. If the base 2 is used the resulting units may be called binary digits, or more briefly bits, a word suggested by J.W. Tukey." The American mathematician John W. Tukey (1915-2000) had used the word in a Bell Labs memorandum, "Sequential Conversion of Continuous Data to Digital Data," dated January 9, 1947. Tukey employed bit as a counterpart in a binary system to digit in the decimal system. For details see "The Origin of Bit" in the "Anecdotes" section of Annals of the History of Computing, vol 6, no. 2 (April, 1984), pp. 152-55.

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (3)

1948, in the meaning defined at sense 1

单词	bit by bit
释义	bit 1 of 4 noun (1) ˈbit 1 a(1) : the biting or cutting edge or part of a tool (2) : a replaceable part of a compound tool that actually performs the function (such as drilling or boring) for which the whole tool is designed put a new bit in the drill used a 1/4 inch bit to make the hole b bits plural : the jaws (see jaw entry 1 sense 2a) of tongs or pincers 2 : something bitten or held with the teeth: a : the usually steel part of a bridle inserted in the mouth of a horse b : the rimmed mouth end on the stem of a pipe or cigar holder 3 : something that curbs or restrains 4 : the part of a key that enters the lock and acts on the bolt and tumblers (see tumbler sense 3a) Illustration of bit 1curb 2 snaffle bit 2 of 4 verb bitted; bitting transitive verb 1 a : to put part of a bridle in the mouth of (a horse) : to put a bit (see bit entry 1 sense 2a) in the mouth of (a horse) b : to control as if with a bit 2 : to form a bit (see bit entry 1 sense 4) on (a key) bit 3 of 4 noun (2) 1 : a small quantity of food especially : a small delicacy 2 a : a small piece or quantity of some material thing broken bits of glass picking bits of lint off her sweater b(1) British : a coin of a specified small denomination a threepenny bit (2) : a unit of value equal to ¹/₈ of a U.S. dollar (12 ¹/₂ cents) —used only of even multiples four bits Note: No coin was ever issued in this amount. see also two bits sense 1 3 : something small or unimportant of its kind: such as a : a brief period : while wait a bit longer b : an indefinite usually small degree, extent, or amount a bit of a rascal every bit as powerful a bit too sweet c theater (1) : a small part usually with spoken lines in a theatrical performance a bit part bit players (2) : a usually short theatrical routine a corny comedy bit 4 : the aggregate of items, situations, or activities appropriate to a given style, genre, or role rejected the whole bit about love-marriage-motherhood Vance Packard bit 4 of 4 noun (3) 1 computers : a unit of computer information equivalent to the result of a choice between two alternatives (such as yes or no, on or off) 2 computers : the physical representation of a bit by an electrical pulse, a magnetized spot, or a hole whose presence or absence indicates data Phrases a bit : somewhat, rather the play was a bit dull a bit much : a little more than one wants to endure finds his constant joking a bit much bit by bit : by degrees : little by little getting better bit by bit to bits : totally, thoroughly thrilled to bits Synonyms Noun (2) atom crumb dribble fleck flyspeck grain granule molecule morsel mote nubbin nugget particle patch scrap scruple snip snippet speck tittle See all Synonyms & Antonyms Word History Etymology Noun (1) Middle English bite, bit "bite of an animal, cutting edge, point, mouthpiece of a bridle," going back to Old English bite "bite of an animal, cut from a weapon," going back to Germanic biti- (whence Old Saxon biti* "bite, sting," Old High German biz [gebiz "mouthpiece of a bridle"], Old Norse bit), noun derivative from the base of bītan- "to bite" — more at bite entry 1 Verb derivative of bit entry 1 Noun (2) Middle English bite, bit* "mouthful of food, morsel," going back to Old English bita, bite, going back to Germanic bitan- (whence Middle Dutch bete* "morsel," Old High German bizzo, Old Norse biti), noun derivative from the base of bītan- "to bite" — more at bite entry 1 Noun (3) from binary digit Note: The term bit* was introduced into general circulation by Claude shannon in "A Mathematical Theory of Communication," Bell System Technical Journal, vol. 27, July, 1948, p. 380: "The choice of a logarithmic base corresponds to the choice of a unit for measuring information. If the base 2 is used the resulting units may be called binary digits, or more briefly bits, a word suggested by J.W. Tukey." The American mathematician John W. Tukey (1915-2000) had used the word in a Bell Labs memorandum, "Sequential Conversion of Continuous Data to Digital Data," dated January 9, 1947. Tukey employed bit as a counterpart in a binary system to digit in the decimal system. For details see "The Origin of Bit" in the "Anecdotes" section of Annals of the History of Computing, vol 6, no. 2 (April, 1984), pp. 152-55. First Known Use Noun (1) 14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1) Verb 1583, in the meaning defined at sense 1a Noun (2) before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Noun (3) 1948, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Phrases Containing bit a bit of all right a little bit a bit of crumpet a bit strong bit by bit a wee bit bit player a bit much champing at the bit do one's bit hair of the dog (that bit you) get/take the bit between one's teeth every bit not a/one bit not a bit of it not a blind bit not (in) the least/smallest/slightest/tiniest bit quite a bit two-bit the whole bit a bit of a/an bit rot sixpenny bit bit rate bit stream parity bit chomping at the bit a bit See More a bit of all right a little bit a bit of crumpet a bit strong bit by bit a wee bit bit player a bit much champing at the bit do one's bit hair of the dog (that bit you) get/take the bit between one's teeth every bit not a/one bit not a bit of it not a blind bit not (in) the least/smallest/slightest/tiniest bit quite a bit two-bit the whole bit a bit of a/an bit rot sixpenny bit bit rate bit stream parity bit chomping at the bit a bit See More Kids Definition bit 1 of 3 noun ˈbit 1 : a small piece or quantity a bit of food 2 : a short time Rest a bit. bit 2 of 3 noun 1 : a part of a bridle that is put in the horse's mouth 2 : the cutting or boring edge or part of a tool bit 3 of 3 noun : a unit of computer information that represents the selection of one of two possible choices (as on or off) bit by bit phrase as in gradually by small steps or amounts The puzzle came together bit by bit over the course of a week. Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance gradually gradationally inchmeal little by little piece by piece slowly piecemeal inch by inch progressively crescively by degrees increasingly hierarchically imperceptibly fractionally Antonyms & Near Antonyms suddenly abruptly sharply hastily acutely steeply precipitously See More
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bit

noun (1)

Illustration of bit

verb

noun (2)

noun (3)

Synonyms

Word History

Phrases Containing bit

Kids Definition

noun

noun

noun

phrase