n. [ AS. mīte mite (in sense 1); akin to LG. mite, D. mijt, G. miete, OHG. mīza; cf. Goth. maitan to cut. ] 1. (Zool.) A minute arachnid, of the order Acarina, of which there are many species; as, the dust mite, cheese mite, sugar mite, harvest mite, three-toed spider mite, etc. See Acarina. [ 1913 Webster ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ] Two mites, which make a farthing. Mark xii. 49. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. A small weight; one twentieth of a grain. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. Anything very small; a minute object; a very little quantity or particle. [ 1913 Webster ] For in effect they be not worth a myte. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ] |