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mite

1. (Science: zoology) 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. [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. 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)

Origin: AS. Mite mite (in sense 1); akin to LG. Mite, D. Mijt, G. Miete, OHG. Miza; cf. Goth. Maitan to cut.