rhizoverbBeta
DictionarybiteAction of teeth
verb / noun

bite

BYTE/baɪt/

The act of closing teeth to cut or grip something.

She bites into the apple while holding it firmly.

A woman bites into a crisp apple, teeth making a clean crescent indentation and fingers holding the fruit naturally; focus on the cutting action of teeth.
Etymology
biteOld Englishto pierce or cut with the teeth

Old English bitan already meant piercing or cutting with the teeth. The modern verb preserves that concrete action rather than developing from a figurative meaning.

In context

Animal Planet58:19
If I didn't have a stick and I went in to grab that tail, he would just bite me. Huge fangs.
Robert Irwin Continues His Father's Legacy | Crikey! It's the Irwins | Animal Planet

More examples

  • The puppy's bite left a small mark.
  • We stop at the cafe for a quick bite.
  • He has already bitten through the thin crust.

Forms

bite · bites · bit · bitten · biting

Similar words

nibble
Means taking small, gentle bites.
gnaw
Means biting repeatedly, often on something hard.