n. [ OE. bitt, bite, AS. bite, bite, fr. bītan to bite. See Bite, n. & v., and cf. Bit a morsel. ] 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. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

The foamy bridle with the bit of gold. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Fig.: Anything which curbs or restrains. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. In the British West Indies, a fourpenny piece, or groat. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Bitted p. pr. & vb. n. Bitting. ] To put a bridle upon; to put the bit in the mouth of. [ 1913 Webster ]

imp. & p. p. of Bite. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. bite, AS. bita, fr. bītan to bite; akin to D. beet, G. bissen bit, morsel, Icel. biti. See Bite, v., and cf. Bit part of a bridle. ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Somewhat; something, but not very great. [ 1913 Webster ]

My young companion was a bit of a poet. T. Hook. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ This word is used, also, like jot and whit, to express the smallest degree; as, he is not a bit wiser. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A tool for boring, of various forms and sizes, usually turned by means of a brace or bitstock. See Bitstock. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. The part of a key which enters the lock and acts upon the bolt and tumblers. Knight. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. The cutting iron of a plane. Knight. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

(Information theory, Computers) [ binary digit. ] n.1. The smallest unit of information, equivalent to a choice between two alternatives, as yes or no; on or off. See also qubit. [ PJC ]

2. (Computers) 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. [ PJC ]

Bit my bit, piecemeal. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

3d sing. pr. of Bid, for biddeth. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ See Betake, Betaught. ] To commend; to commit. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Pref. bi- + tangent. ] (Geom.) Possessing the property of touching at two points. -- n. A line that touches a curve in two points. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Chem.) A salt of tartaric acid in which the base replaces but half the acid hydrogen; an acid tartrate, as cream of tartar. [ 1913 Webster ]