bitten

bitten

The child was bitten by a mosquito.

Definition
  1. Verb (Past Participle):
    • Past participle of "bite": "bitten" is the past participle form of the verb "bite," meaning to have cut, pierced, or gripped something with the teeth.
    • Affected by a bite: Used to describe a state where a person, animal, or object has been the recipient of a bite action.
    • Figuratively: To have been affected by a sharp or stinging sensation, such as cold wind or an insect sting.
Usage Examples
  • Literal bite:

    • The apple was bitten by a child. (The apple has a mark where teeth have cut into it.)
    • She had been bitten by a mosquito while camping. (A mosquito pierced her skin, causing irritation.)
  • Figurative use:

    • He was bitten by the travel bug at a young age. (He developed a strong desire to travel.)
    • The frostbitten hiker suffered from severe cold. (The hiker's skin was damaged by extreme cold.)
Advanced Usage
  • "Bitten off": refers to something that has been removed or separated by biting.

    • He had bitten off a piece of the bread. (He used his teeth to tear a chunk from the bread.)
  • "Bitten into": to have started eating something by making an incision with teeth.

    • The cake was bitten into but not finished. (Someone took a bite from the cake but did not consume it entirely.)
  • "Once bitten, twice shy": a proverb meaning that a person who has had a bad experience will be cautious to avoid repeating it.

    • After losing money in that investment, she is once bitten, twice shy. (She is now reluctant to take similar risks.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Bite (verb, noun): the base form meaning to cut with teeth, or the act of doing so.

    • The dog may bite if provoked. (The dog might use its teeth aggressively.)
  • Biter (noun): a person or animal that bites.

    • That dog is known as a biter. (That dog has a habit of biting people.)
  • Biting (adjective): sharp, harsh, or stinging in effect.

    • The biting wind made the walk uncomfortable. (The wind was very cold and painful.)
Synonyms
  • Chewed: having been ground or torn with teeth.

    • The rope was chewed by the puppy. (The rope was damaged by biting and gnawing.)
  • Nipped: having been pinched or bitten lightly.

    • The child's finger was nipped by the crab. (The crab gave a small, sharp bite.)
Phrasal Verbs
  • Bite off: to separate something by biting.

    • He bit off a piece of the chocolate bar. (He used his teeth to break a segment from the bar.)
  • Bite into: to press teeth into something, usually to eat.

    • She bit into the juicy peach. (She sank her teeth into the fruit.)
Related Idioms
  • Bite the bullet: to endure a painful or unpleasant situation bravely.

    • He decided to bite the bullet and tell the truth. (He faced the difficult situation directly.)
  • Bite the dust: to fail or be defeated.

    • The old car finally bit the dust after years of use. (The car stopped working permanently.)