bit

noun

1. the part of a bridle that goes into a horse's mouth, used to control the horse
2. anything that curbs or controls
3. the part of a pipestem held in the mouth
4. the part of a key that actually turns the lock
5. the cutting part of any tool, as the blade of a plane
6. a drilling or boring tool for use in a brace, drill press, etc.

Etymology: ME < OE bite, a bite < bītan, bite

transitive verb bitted bit′·ted, bitting bit′·ting

1. 1. to put a bit into the mouth of (a horse)
   2. to train to the bit
2. to check or curb
3. to make the bit on (a key)

noun

1. 1. a small piece or quantity
   2. a small extent or limited degree: often used with a and having adverbial force a bit bored
   3. a short time; moment wait a bit
2. ☆

   Etymology: orig. used of a small silver coin worth of the Spanish peso (hence, normally 12 cents)

   Informal an amount equal to 12 cents: now usually in two bits, four bits, etc.
3. ☆
   1. a small part or short performance in a play or entertainment
   2. Informal any stereotyped or repeated action, expression, etc. resorting to the aggrieved bit

Etymology: ME bite < OE bita, a piece, morsel, bit < bitan, to bite

adjective

transitive verb, intransitive verb

noun

1. a single digit in a binary number system
2. a unit of information equal to the amount of information obtained by learning which of two equally likely events occurred

Etymology: b(inary) (dig)it