Category:Mite

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

1. (Zoöl.)

Defn: 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. Etym: [D. mijt; prob. the same word.]

Defn: 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.

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---excerpt from the Illustrated Bible Dictionary

Mite - Contraction of minute, from the Latin minutum, the translation of the Greek word lepton , the very smallest bronze of copper coin (Luke 12:59; Luke 21:2). Two mites made one quadrans, i.e., the fourth part of a Roman as, which was in value nearly a half-penny. (See FARTHING.)