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Entry 14 senses · 7 variants Webster, 1913

Bit

/(bĭt)/ · IPA /ˈbɪ̝t/
01 n. The part of a bridle, usually of iron, which is inserted in the mouth of a horse, and having appendages to which the reins are fastened.
  1. 1.
    The part of a bridle, usually of iron, which is inserted in the mouth of a horse, and having appendages to which the reins are fastened.
    “The foamy bridle with the bit of gold.” — Chaucer.
  2. 2.
    Fig.: Anything which curbs or restrains.
02 n. In the British West Indies, a fourpenny piece, or groat.
  1. 1.
    In the British West Indies, a fourpenny piece, or groat.
03 v. t. To put a bridle upon; to put the bit in the mouth of.
imp. & p. p. Bitted; p. pr. & vb. n. Bitting
  1. 1.
    To put a bridle upon; to put the bit in the mouth of.
04 imp. & p. p. imp. & p. p. of Bite.
  1. 1.
    imp. & p. p. of Bite. See: Bite
05 n. A part of anything, such as may be bitten off or taken into the mouth; a morsel; a bite. Hence: A small piece of anything; a little; a mite.
  1. 1.
    A part of anything, such as may be bitten off or taken into the mouth; a morsel; a bite. Hence: A small piece of anything; a little; a mite.
  2. 2.
    Somewhat; something, but not very great.
    “My young companion was a bit of a poet.” — T. Hook.
  3. 3.
    A tool for boring, of various forms and sizes, usually turned by means of a brace or bitstock. See Bitstock. See: Bitstock
  4. 4.
    The part of a key which enters the lock and acts upon the bolt and tumblers.
  5. 5.
    The cutting iron of a plane.
  6. 6.
    In the Southern and Southwestern States, a small silver coin (as the real) formerly current; commonly, one worth about 12 1/2 cents; also, the sum of 12 1/2 cents.
06 n. The smallest unit of information, equivalent to a choice between two alternatives, as yes or no; on or off. See also qubit.
  1. 1.
    The smallest unit of information, equivalent to a choice between two alternatives, as yes or no; on or off. See also qubit.(Information theory, Computers) See: qubit
  2. 2.
    The physical representation of a bit of information in a computer memory or a data storage medium. Within a computer circuit a bit may be represented by the state of a current or an electrical charge; in a magnetic storage medium it may be represented by the direction of magnetization; on a punched card or on paper tape it may be represented by the presence or absence of a hole at a particular point on the card or tape.(Computers)
Phrases & compounds
Bit my bit — piecemeal.
07 3d sing. pr. 3d sing. pr. of Bid, for biddeth.
  1. 1.
    3d sing. pr. of Bid, for biddeth.[Obs.] See: Bid