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.
MITER; MITRE
Mi"ter, Mi"tre, n. Etym: [F. mitre, fr. L. mitra headband, turban,
Gr.
1. A covering for the head, worn on solemn occasions by church dignitaries. It has been made in many forms, the present form being a lofty cap with two points or peaks. Fairholt.
2. The surface forming the beveled end or edge of a piece where a miter joint is made; also, a joint formed or a junction effected by two beveled ends or edges; a miter joint.