bit

Definitions

• A piece of metal placed in a horse's mouth and connected to the reins to direct the animal.
• A rotary cutting tool fitted to a drill, used to bore holes.
• (dated) A coin of a specified value.
• (obsolete) A ten-cent piece, dime.
• (now) A unit of currency or coin in the Americas worth a fraction of a Spanish dollar; now specifically, an eighth of a US dollar.
• (historical) In the southern and southwestern states, a small silver coin (such as the real) formerly current; commonly, one worth about 12½ cents; also, the sum of 12½ cents.
• A small amount of something.
• (informal) Specifically, a small amount of time.
• (plural) Fractions of a second.
• A portion of something.
• Somewhat; something, but not very great; also used like jot and whit to express the smallest degree. See also a bit.
• (slang) A prison sentence, especially a short one.
• An excerpt of material making up part of a show, comedy routine, etc.
• A small part or role, sometimes with spoken lines, in a theatrical performance.
• The part of a key which enters the lock and acts upon the bolt and tumblers.
• The cutting iron of a plane.
• The bevelled front edge of an axehead along which the cutting edge runs.