mite
/maɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /maɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈmīt/ (ame, mw)
mite — noun
- mitesingular
- mitesplural
1. any of many kinds of very small eight-legged arachnids, related to spiders and t
any of many kinds of very small eight-legged arachnids, related to spiders and ticks, which often live on plants, animals, food, or in house dust and can cause disease or skin irritation.
Kofi sneezed every morning because dust mites had built up in his old mattress.
collocation: dust mites + cause/build up
The farmer sprayed the apple trees to kill red spider mites before the fruit ripened.
collocation: spider mites (agricultural pest)
Tiny mites had infested the chickens, so Felipe dusted each bird with medicated powder.
Under the microscope, Roya counted dozens of mites crawling across the leaf surface.
Bee mites are a major threat to honey production around the world.
文法句型
a mite
dust mites
mites on/in [host]
用法筆記
Often used with a modifier naming the host or habitat (dust, spider, bee, ear). The bare word 'mite' on its own is uncommon outside biology contexts — usually paired with one of these modifiers.
常見錯誤
2. a young child you feel tender or sorry for, especially because the child is smal
a young child you feel tender or sorry for, especially because the child is small, ill, tired, or in a hard situation.
The poor little mite cried for an hour after losing her stuffed rabbit.
collocation: poor little mite (most common frame)
Pim looked at the sleeping baby and whispered, "What a sweet little mite she is."
informal endearment register
The nurse carried the tiny mite gently from the ambulance into the hospital ward.
Esme is only three, the poor mite, and she has been ill all week.
- little one
more neutral, no sympathy implied
- tot
informal for a very young child, without the tender or pitying tone
文法句型
poor (little) mite
the little mite
用法筆記
Almost always preceded by 'poor', 'little', or both, and often used by an adult expressing sympathy. Distinguish from sense 1 (the arachnid): context — a person, usually a child — makes the meaning obvious.
常見錯誤
3. a very small portion of something, often money or food, especially when contrast
a very small portion of something, often money or food, especially when contrasted with how much more is needed or expected.
Christopher gave the homeless musician a mite of his lunch and walked on.
pattern: a mite of + noun (food)
The old church survived on the mites that worshippers dropped into the collection box.
religious / charity context (the widow's mite)
Saira contributed her mite to the village fund, even though she had little to spare.
There was not a mite of bread left in the cupboard by Sunday morning.
- heap
informal for a large amount
文法句型
a mite
a mite of [N]
not a mite
用法筆記
Often appears in the fixed expression 'the widow's mite' (a small but heartfelt gift). Distinguish from sense 4: this sense is a noun ('a mite of food'); sense 4 is an adverb ('a mite tired').
常見錯誤
4. to a small degree; somewhat. Used before an adjective or comparative to soften t
to a small degree; somewhat. Used before an adjective or comparative to soften the statement.
Min seemed a mite tired after the long drive back from Taipei.
a mite + adjective (most common frame)
The soup tasted a mite too salty for William's liking.
a mite + too + adjective
Ilan looked a mite annoyed when his train was delayed again.
Stefan thought the price was a mite higher than he had expected.
- very
marks a high degree, the opposite of 'a mite'
文法句型
a mite + adjective
a mite + comparative
用法筆記
Always appears as 'a mite' followed by an adjective or comparative — never on its own. Slightly softer and more old-fashioned than 'a bit' or 'a little'. Distinguish from sense 3: here 'a mite' modifies an adjective (a mite tired), not a noun (a mite of bread).