Antonyms for bite


Grammar : Noun, verb
Spell : bahyt
Phonetic Transcription : baɪt


Definition of bite

Origin :
  • Old English bitan (class I strong verb; past tense bat, past participle biten), from Proto-Germanic *bitan (cf. Old Saxon bitan, Old Norse and Old Frisian bita, Middle Dutch biten, Dutch bijten, German beissen, Gothic beitan "to bite"), from PIE root *bheid- "to split, crack" (see fissure).
  • To bite the bullet is said to be 1700s military slang, from old medical custom of having the patient bite a lead bullet during an operation to divert attention from pain and reduce screaming. Figurative use from 1891; the custom itself attested from 1840s. To bite (one's) tongue "refrain from speaking" is 1590s. To bite the dust "die" is 1750 (Latin had the same image; cf. Virgil: procubuit moriens et humum semel ore momordit). To bite off more than one can chew (c.1880) is U.S. slang, from plug tobacco.
  • noun injury from gripping, tearing
  • noun mouthful of food
  • noun pungency; stinging sensation
  • noun allotment
  • verb grip or tear with teeth
  • verb corrode, eat away
  • verb take a chance
Example sentences :
  • The russet of oranges is caused by the bite of an insect on the skin.
  • Extract from : « Woman's Institute Library of Cookery, Vol. 5 » by Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences
  • Stopping for a bite to eat in the kitchen, Linda went back to her room.
  • Extract from : « Her Father's Daughter » by Gene Stratton-Porter
  • She could scratch, kick, and bite—and stab too; but for stabbing she wanted a knife.
  • Extract from : « The Secret Agent » by Joseph Conrad
  • Procinus, however, was spared to die of the bite of a viper.
  • Extract from : « The Devil's Dictionary » by Ambrose Bierce
  • Won't you stop for a bite and fresh water with friends of the cause?
  • Extract from : « The Rock of Chickamauga » by Joseph A. Altsheler
  • Now you come in, an' I'll git you a bite o' somethin' t'eat.
  • Extract from : « Meadow Grass » by Alice Brown
  • They scowled at him as if they were mad enough to bite off the heads of tenpenny nails.
  • Extract from : « Welsh Fairy Tales » by William Elliott Griffis
  • Grant isn't going to bite you, and you're not afraid of him.
  • Extract from : « Good Indian » by B. M. Bower
  • He could only bite his nails and puff away to the next Defaulter.
  • Extract from : « Little Dorrit » by Charles Dickens
  • You make one bite your head off, when one wants to be soothing beyond everything.
  • Extract from : « Little Dorrit » by Charles Dickens

Synonyms for bite

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019