mite
/mait/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A very small arachnid: A tiny creature, often a parasite, belonging to the class Arachnida, which can infest animals, plants, or stored food.
- A very small amount or portion: A slight but appreciable or detectable quantity of something.
- (Informal, often affectionate) A very small person or child: Used to refer to someone small, especially a child, often implying endearment or pity.
Examples of Usage
Noun (Arachnid):
- Dust mites are common allergens found in household dust.
- The plant was suffering from an infestation of spider mites.
Noun (Small amount):
- Add just a mite of salt to the soup.
- He felt a mite of regret after his harsh words.
Noun (Small person/child):
- Look at the poor little mite, he's fallen and scraped his knee.
- She's just a mite of a girl, but she has a powerful voice.
Advanced Usage
"contribute one's mite": To contribute a small but personally significant amount, especially of money or effort.
- Everyone was encouraged to contribute their mite to the charity drive.
"a mite" (as an adverb): Slightly, a little bit. Used to modify adjectives or adverbs.
- This soup is a mite too salty for my taste.
- He arrived a mite late to the meeting.
Variants and Related Words
- Mite does not have common verb or adjective forms. It is primarily used as a noun.
- Related terms include other small arachnids like tick (a larger, blood-sucking arachnid).
Synonyms
- Arachnid: For the creature: .
- Small amount: .
- Small child: .
Idioms and Fixed Phrases
The widow's mite: Refers to a small but generous and sacrificial gift from someone who has very little to give. Originates from a biblical story.
- His donation, though small, was like the widow's mite—it meant everything.
Not a mite: Not at all, not in the slightest.
- He was not a mite concerned about the rumors.
Noun
- any of numerous very small to minute arachnids often infesting animals or plants or stored foods
- a slight but appreciable amount
- this dish could use a touch of garlic