bite etymology

Etymology

The word "bite" comes from the Old English word "bitan," which means "to cut or seize with the teeth." The word is related to the Proto-Germanic word "bitanan," which means "to bite."

Meaning

A bite is a wound caused by the teeth of an animal or person. It can also refer to the act of biting.

Origin

The word "bite" has been used in English since the 12th century. It is thought to have originated from the Proto-Germanic word "bitanan," which is also the origin of the words "bit," "bait," and "bite."

Examples

  • The dog bit the mailman on the leg.
  • I took a bite of the apple.
  • The shark bit the swimmer's arm.

bite relate terms

  • backbiting

    Etymology From Middle English bakbyten from Old English bæccbitung from Proto German

  • back

    Etymology The word back is derived from the Old English word bæc which meant back

  • bite

    Etymology The word bite comes from the Old English word bitan which means to cut or

  • bait

    Etymology Middle English baite from Anglo Norman bait diminutive of Old Norse beita

  • bite

    Etymology The word bite comes from the Old English word bitan which means to cut or

  • bait

    Etymology Middle English baite from Anglo Norman bait diminutive of Old Norse beita

  • beetle

    Etymology The word beetle is derived from the Proto Germanic bitulaz which means t

  • bitter

    Etymology The word bitter comes from the Old English word biter which is related to

  • tongs

    Etymology of Tongs The word tongs originates from the Old English word tange which

  • smart

    Etymology of smart Middle English smarte smerte Old English smeortan smeort Proto

  • smirch

    Etymology The word smirch comes from the Middle English word smirken which itself de

  • giblets

    Etymology The word giblets comes from the Old French word gibelet which in turn is

  • chew

    Etymology The word chew comes from the Old English word cēowan which means to chew

  • crumb

    Etymology The word crumb derives from the Old English word cruma meaning fragment

  • nettle

    Etymology Middle English netele nettle Old English netele Proto Germanic netilaz P