| The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000. |
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| bit2 |
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| PRONUNCIATION: |  b t |
| NOUN: | 1. The sharp part of a tool, such as the cutting edge of a knife or ax. 2. A pointed and threaded tool for drilling and boring that is secured in a brace, bitstock, or drill press. 3. The part of a key that enters the lock and engages the bolt and tumblers. 4. The tip of the mouthpiece on a pipe or a cigarette or cigar holder. 5. The metal mouthpiece of a bridle, serving to control, curb, and direct an animal. 6. Something that controls, guides, or curbs. | | TRANSITIVE VERB: | Inflected forms: bit·ted, bit·ting, bits
1. To place a bit in the mouth of (a horse, for example). 2. To check or control with or as if with a bit. 3. To make or grind a bit on (a key). | | IDIOM: | have (or take) the bit in one's teeth To be uncontrollable; cast off restraint. | | ETYMOLOGY: | Middle English bite, from Old English, act of biting. See bheid- in Appendix I.
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| The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by the Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. |
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