Mite (?), n. [AS. mite mite (in sense 1); akin to LG. mite, D. mijt, G. miete, OHG. miza; cf. Goth. maitan to cut.]

1. Zool.

A minute arachnid, of the order Acarina, of which there are many species; as, the cheese mite, sugar mite, harvest mite, etc. See Acarina.

2. [D. mijt; prob. the same word.]

A small coin formerly circulated in England, rated at about a third of a farthing. The name is also applied to a small coin used in Palestine in the time of Christ.

Two mites, which make a farthing. Mark xii. 49.

3.

A small weight; one twentieth of a grain.

4.

Anything very small; a minute object; a very little quantity or particle.

For in effect they be not worth a myte. Chaucer.

 

© Webster 1913.