See Also: mite(dictionary)
mite(encyclopedia)
mite(2)(dictionary)
mite(medicine)
mite(1)(dictionary)
spider mite(encyclopedia)
Dust mite(health)
water mite(medicine)
rat mite dermatitis(medicine)
mite typhus(medicine)

mite(2) (iou)



mite noun2. LME.
[Middle Low German, Middle Dutch mite from Germanic, prob. identical with MITE noun1.]
Hist. Orig., a Flemish copper coin of very small value. Later, any very small unit of currency; spec. half a farthing. LME.
Bible (AV): Mark 12:42 A certaine poore widow..threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
b. one's mite, widow's mite (with allus. to Mark 12:43) a person's modest contribution to a cause, charity, etc., esp. the most the giver can manage, the best one can do. M17.
R. K. Narayan You must contribute your mite for the economic and political salvation of our country.
A very small weight; spec. the twentieth part of a grain. LME-E18.
A tiny amount, a little bit, a fragment; fig. (chiefly a mite, one mite) a jot, a whit, (adverbial) somewhat, slightly, a little. Now colloq. LME.
J. Ray The Ants..drop upon them a small Mite of their stinging Liquor. M. Angelou His left hand was only a mite bigger than Bailey's. J. Carroll Colman withdrew a mite, holding his smile down. New Health Turning back now seemed a mite unadventurous.
A very small object or living creature, esp. a tiny child. L16.
A. West The poor mite does all he can to keep out of your way.
Comb.: mite society Hist. a 19th-cent. society which collected funds for charity by small contributions.