bit bit /ˈbɪt/

noun

1. () A small piece or quantity of something  ( spot [Informal] , bit )
   a small piece or quantity of something
    A spot of tea
   a spot of tea
    A bit of paper
   a bit of paper
    A bit of lint
   a bit of lint
    I gave him a bit of my mind
   I gave him a bit of my mind
   
2. () A small fragment of something broken off from the whole  ( flake , chip , fleck , bit , scrap )
   a small fragment of something broken off from the whole
    A bit of rock caught him in the eye
   a bit of rock caught him in the eye
   
3. () Piece of metal held in horse's mouth by reins and used to control the horse while riding  ( bit )
   piece of metal held in horse's mouth by reins and used to control the horse while riding
    The horse was not accustomed to a bit
   the horse was not accustomed to a bit
   
   
4. () An instance of some kind  ( bit , piece )
   an instance of some kind
    It was a nice piece of work
   it was a nice piece of work
    He had a bit of good luck
   he had a bit of good luck
   
5. () An indefinitely short time  ( mo , bit , second , minute , moment )
   an indefinitely short time
    Wait just a moment
   wait just a moment
    In a mo
   in a mo
    It only takes a minute
   it only takes a minute
    In just a bit
   in just a bit
   
6. The cutting part of a drill; usually pointed and threaded and is replaceable in a brace, bitstock or drill press  ( bit )
   the cutting part of a drill; usually pointed and threaded and is replaceable in a brace, bitstock or drill press
    He looked around for the right size bit
   he looked around for the right size bit
   
   
7. The part of a key that enters a lock and lifts the tumblers  ( bit )
   the part of a key that enters a lock and lifts the tumblers
   
8. A short performance that is part of a longer program  ( bit , turn , routine , act , number )
   a short performance that is part of a longer program
    He did his act three times every evening
   he did his act three times every evening
    She had a catchy little routine
   she had a catchy little routine
    It was one of the best numbers he ever did
   it was one of the best numbers he ever did
   
9. A small fragment  ( bit , snatch )
   a small fragment
    Overheard snatches of their conversation
   overheard snatches of their conversation
   
10. A small amount of solid food; a mouthful  ( bit , bite , morsel )
    a small amount of solid food; a mouthful
     All they had left was a bit of bread
    all they had left was a bit of bread
    
    
11. A unit of measurement of information (from binary + digit); the amount of information in a system having two equiprobable states  ( bit )
    a unit of measurement of information (from binary + digit); the amount of information in a system having two equiprobable states
     There are 8 bits in a byte
    there are 8 bits in a byte