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

bits

noun

plural of bit

as in snippets

a very small piece she left only a bit of the broccoli on her plate

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

snippets
specks
particles
scraps
flecks
patches
slivers
crumbs
grains
fragments
mouthfuls
molecules
atoms
bites
nuggets
morsels
granules
snips
parts
licks
portions
sections
drops
nubbins
motes
dribbles
shards
traces
flyspecks
dashes
nibbles
fractions
tidbits
scruples
whispers
shreds
tittles
touches
nutshells
clippings
ounces
pinches
chips
titbits
smidgens
streaks
tastes
spots
jots
splinters
smidges
iotas
dabs
halfpence
whits
flakes
minims
shavings
driblets
mites
smidgeons
halfpennies
kennings
ha'pennies
smatters
strains
suspicions
smidgins
aces
haets
shivers
parings
modicums
smithereens

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

chunks
slabs
lumps
quantities
loads
hunks
piles
masses
gobs
volumes
heaps
bushels
buckets
mountains
barrels
pots
stacks
deals
rafts
abundances
wads
pecks
scads
profusions
wealths

as in pieces

a broken or irregular part of something that often remains incomplete bits of cookie scattered on the table

Synonyms & Similar Words

pieces
fragments
fractions
scraps
remnants
slivers
portions
shards
sections
segments
shreds
chips
splinters
remainders
snippets
stubs
leftovers
tatters
specks
particles
patches
flakes
clippings
flecks
molecules
atoms
crumbs
grains
shavings
oddments
nuggets
granules
morsels
snips
shivers
parings
cantles
motes
dribbles
shatters
ends
scruples
nubbins
flyspecks
tittles

as in little

a very small amount I'll have only a bit of food right now

Synonyms & Similar Words

little
splashes
specks
sprinklings
hints
touches
glimmers
licks
traces
particles
slivers
handfuls
dabs
flecks
bites
crumbs
shreds
shades
parts
sparks
ounces
shadows
smidgens
spatters
smidges
rays
spots
streaks
peanuts
drams
dashes
fragments
nips
drops
portions
smells
driblets
soupçons
pinches
mites
smidgeons
nibbles
molecules
snaps
atoms
sections
scraps
grains
smacks
scruples
doses
patches
smidgins
strains
suspicions
morsels
aces
dots
syllables
scintillas
granules
tastes
skoshes
shards
jots
whits
iotas
semblances
drops in the bucket
chips
nubbins
motes
vestiges
smatterings
minims
scatterings
minimums
splinters
flyspecks
flakes
clippings
shavings
minima
tittles
hoots
handsful
modicums
shivers
tatters
parings
smatters
smithereens
shots

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

quantities
loads
piles
masses
lots
heaps
bundles
buckets
bushels
barrels
mountains
stacks
reams
gobs
deals
rafts
fistfuls
wads
pecks
abundances
volumes
oodles
scads
boatloads
messes
much
wealths
lashings
chunks
profusions
excesses
potfuls
surpluses
plenties
slabs
overflows
passels
superfluities
lashins
embarrassments
hunks
lumps
bonanzas
overmuch
overages
surfeits
overabundances
overkills
oversupplies
superabundances

as in whiles

an indefinite but usually short period of time this will only take a bit

Synonyms & Similar Words

whiles
space
moments
spells
minutes
stretches
days
seasons
seconds
instants
eras
interludes
infinities
epochs
nanoseconds
spans
twinklings
split seconds
intervals
trices
heartbeats
shakes
ages
spurts
lapses
aeons
twinkles
jiffs
eyeblinks
flashes
jiffies
winks
perpetuities
intermissions
interims
beats
eons
New York minutes
eternities

as in numbers

a performance regularly presented by an individual or group known for a comedic bit in which she portrayed a very nervous student driver

Synonyms & Similar Words

numbers
acts
routines
shticks
turns
schticks
signatures
shtiks

as in treats

something that is pleasing to eat because it is rare or a luxury wielding silver trays, the servers offered partygoers a variety of exotic-looking bits

Synonyms & Similar Words

treats
tidbits
titbits
goodies
candies
delicacies
dainties
sweets
cates
viands
delectables
morsels
desserts
kickshaws
sweetmeats
junkets

单词	bits
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) bits noun plural of bit 1 as in snippets a very small piece she left only a bit of the broccoli on her plate Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance snippets specks particles scraps flecks patches slivers crumbs grains fragments mouthfuls molecules atoms bites nuggets morsels granules snips parts licks portions sections drops nubbins motes dribbles shards traces flyspecks dashes nibbles fractions tidbits scruples whispers shreds tittles touches nutshells clippings ounces pinches chips titbits smidgens streaks tastes spots jots splinters smidges iotas dabs halfpence whits flakes minims shavings driblets mites smidgeons halfpennies kennings ha'pennies smatters strains suspicions smidgins aces haets shivers parings modicums smithereens Antonyms & Near Antonyms chunks slabs lumps quantities loads hunks piles masses gobs volumes heaps bushels buckets mountains barrels pots stacks deals rafts abundances wads pecks scads profusions wealths See More 2 as in pieces a broken or irregular part of something that often remains incomplete bits of cookie scattered on the table Synonyms & Similar Words pieces fragments fractions scraps remnants slivers portions shards sections segments shreds chips splinters remainders snippets stubs leftovers tatters specks particles patches flakes clippings flecks molecules atoms crumbs grains shavings oddments nuggets granules morsels snips shivers parings cantles motes dribbles shatters ends scruples nubbins flyspecks tittles 3 as in little a very small amount I'll have only a bit of food right now Synonyms & Similar Words little splashes specks sprinklings hints touches glimmers licks traces particles slivers handfuls dabs flecks bites crumbs shreds shades parts sparks ounces shadows smidgens spatters smidges rays spots streaks peanuts drams dashes fragments nips drops portions smells driblets soupçons pinches mites smidgeons nibbles molecules snaps atoms sections scraps grains smacks scruples doses patches smidgins strains suspicions morsels aces dots syllables scintillas granules tastes skoshes shards jots whits iotas semblances drops in the bucket chips nubbins motes vestiges smatterings minims scatterings minimums splinters flyspecks flakes clippings shavings minima tittles hoots handsful modicums shivers tatters parings smatters smithereens shots Antonyms & Near Antonyms quantities loads piles masses lots heaps bundles buckets bushels barrels mountains stacks reams gobs deals rafts fistfuls wads pecks abundances volumes oodles scads boatloads messes much wealths lashings chunks profusions excesses potfuls surpluses plenties slabs overflows passels superfluities lashins embarrassments hunks lumps bonanzas overmuch overages surfeits overabundances overkills oversupplies superabundances See More 4 as in whiles an indefinite but usually short period of time this will only take a bit Synonyms & Similar Words whiles space moments spells minutes stretches days seasons seconds instants eras interludes infinities epochs nanoseconds spans twinklings split seconds intervals trices heartbeats shakes ages spurts lapses aeons twinkles jiffs eyeblinks flashes jiffies winks perpetuities intermissions interims beats eons New York minutes eternities 5 as in numbers a performance regularly presented by an individual or group known for a comedic bit in which she portrayed a very nervous student driver Synonyms & Similar Words numbers acts routines shticks turns schticks signatures shtiks 6 as in treats something that is pleasing to eat because it is rare or a luxury wielding silver trays, the servers offered partygoers a variety of exotic-looking bits Synonyms & Similar Words treats tidbits titbits goodies candies delicacies dainties sweets cates viands delectables morsels desserts kickshaws sweetmeats junkets Phrases Containing bits to bits to bits
随便看	eliding eligibilities eligibility eligible eligible bachelor eligible paper eligibleness eligibles eligibly Elijah Elijah's chair Elijah's cup elijahs elikón eliminability eliminable eliminants eliminate eliminated eliminately eliminates eliminating elimination eliminations eliminative

bit

noun (1)

Illustration of bit

verb

noun (2)

noun (3)

Synonyms

Word History

Phrases Containing bit

Kids Definition

noun

noun

noun

noun

Phrases Containing bits