Collins English-English Dictionary

bite [baɪt]

1. 1. vb to grip, cut off, or tear with or as if with the teeth or jaws

2. 2. vb (of animals, insects, etc) to injure by puncturing or tearing (the skin or flesh) with the teeth, fangs, etc, esp as a natural characteristic

3. 3. vt. [tr] to cut or penetrate, as with a knife

4. 4. vt. (of corrosive material such as acid) to eat away or into

5. 5. vt. to smart or cause to smart; sting

   mustard bites the tongue

6. 6. vi. [intr] [angling] (of a fish) to take or attempt to take the bait or lure

7. 7. vi. to take firm hold of or act effectively upon

8. 8. vi. to grip or hold (a workpiece) with a tool or chuck

9. 9. vi. (of a screw, thread, etc) to cut into or grip (an object, material, etc)

10. 10. vt. [tr] [informal] to annoy or worry

    what's biting her?

11. 11. vt. [often passive] [slang] to cheat

12. 12. vt. [tr; often foll by for] [Austral and NZ] [slang] to ask (for); scrounge from

13. 13. vt. See dust

14. 14. n the act of biting

15. 15. n a thing or amount bitten off

16. 16. n a wound, bruise, or sting inflicted by biting

17. 17. n [angling] an attempt by a fish to take the bait or lure

18. 18. n [informal] an incisive or penetrating effect or quality

    tthat's a question with a bite

19. 19. n a light meal; snack

20. 20. n a cutting, stinging, or smarting sensation

21. 21. n the depth of cut of a machine tool

22. 22. n the grip or hold applied by a tool or chuck to a workpiece

23. 23. n [dentistry] the angle or manner of contact between the upper and lower teeth when the mouth is closed naturally

24. 24. n the surface of a file or rasp with cutting teeth

25. 25. n the corrosive action of acid, as on a metal etching plate

26. 26. n [Etymology] Old English bitan; related to Latin findere to split, Sanskrit bhedati he splits