mite

¹

[ mahyt ]

noun

1. any of numerous small to microscopic arachnids of the subclass Acari, including species that are parasitic on animals and plants or that feed on decaying matter and stored foods.

mite

²

[ mahyt ]

noun

1. a contribution that is small but is all that a person can afford.
2. a very small sum of money.
3. a coin of very small value.
4. a very small object.
5. a very small creature.

adverb

1. to a small extent; somewhat (often preceded by a ):

   a mite selfish.

mite

¹

/ 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 informal.
   somewhat

   he's a mite foolish

mite

²

/ maɪt /

noun

1. 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 tick 2 acaroid

mite

/ mīt /

1. Any of various very small arachnids of the subclass Acari that often live as parasites on other animals or plants. Like ticks and unlike spiders, mites have no division between the cephalothorax and abdomen.

Word History and Origins

Origin of mite¹

before 1000; Middle English myte, Old English mīte; cognate with Middle Dutch mīte, Old High German miza midge

Origin of mite²

1300–50; Middle English myte < Middle Dutch mīte small copper coin; ultimately identical with mite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of mite¹

C14: from Middle Low German, Middle Dutch mīte; compare mite ¹

Origin of mite²

Old English mīte; compare Old High German mīza gnat, Dutch mijt

Example Sentences

The condition is caused by a mite which burrows under the skin to lay eggs and is spread through close physical contact, bedding and clothes.

From BBC

Alan Wilson, senior coroner for Blackpool and Fylde, said Debbie died from "the combined effects of her severely emaciated and neglected state, and debilitation caused by widespread Norwegian scabies mite infection".

From BBC

The two-spotted spider mite is one of the most economically damaging pests -- it's not fussy and attacks a broad range of more than 1000 plants, including 150 crops.

From Science Daily

"We were able to show mite infestation induced a rapid stomatal closure response, with the plant hormone ABA rising in the leaf tissues -- highest in stomatal and vascular cells, but also all other leaf cells measured. We showed through multiple different experiments that stomatal closure hinders mites. Plants that were pre-treated with ABA to induce stomatal closure and then infested with mites showed decreased mite damage, while ABA-deficient mutant plants where stomata cannot close well and plants that have a more stomata are more susceptible to mites."

From Science Daily

For weeks it hadn’t rained and the river looked a bit slower, a mite shallower.

From Literature

Related Words

• bug
• insect