Bistre
(Bis"tre) n. See Bister.
Bisulcate
(Bi*sul"cate) a. [Pref. bi- + sulcate.]
1. Having two grooves or furrows.
2. (Zoöl.) Cloven; said of a foot or hoof.
Bisulcous
(Bi*sul"cous) a. [L. bisulcus; bis twice + sulcus furrow.] Bisulcate. Sir T. Browne.
Bisulphate
(Bi*sul"phate) n. [Pref. bi- + sulphate.] (Chem.) A sulphate in which but half the hydrogen
of the acid is replaced by a positive element or radical, thus making the proportion of the acid to the
positive or basic portion twice what it is in the normal sulphates; an acid sulphate.
Bisulphide
(Bi*sul"phide) n. [Pref. bi- + sulphide.] (Chem.) A sulphide having two atoms of sulphur
in the molecule; a disulphide, as in iron pyrites, FeS2; — less frequently called bisulphuret.
Bisulphite
(Bi*sul"phite) n. (Chem.) A salt of sulphurous acid in which the base replaces but half the
hydrogen of the acid; an acid sulphite.
Bisulphuret
(Bi*sul"phu*ret) n. [Pref. bi- + sulphuret.] (Chem.) See Bisulphide.
Bit
(Bit) n. [OE. bitt, bite, AS. bite, bite, fr. bitan to bite. See Bite, n. & v., and cf. Bit a morsel.]
1. The part of a bridle, usually of iron, which is inserted in the mouth of a horse, and having appendages
to which the reins are fastened. Shak.
The foamy bridle with the bit of gold.
Chaucer.
2. Fig.: Anything which curbs or restrains.
Bit
(Bit), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bitted ; p. pr. & vb. n. Bitting.] To put a bridle upon; to put the bit in the
mouth of.
Bit
(Bit), imp. & p. p. of Bite.
Bit
(Bit), n. [OE. bite, AS. bita, fr. bitan to bite; akin to D. beet, G. bissen bit, morsel, Icel. biti. See
Bite, v., and cf. Bit part of a bridle.]
1. A part of anything, such as may be bitten off or taken into the mouth; a morsel; a bite. Hence: A small
piece of anything; a little; a mite.
2. Somewhat; something, but not very great.
My young companion was a bit of a poet.
T. Hook.
This word is used, also, like jot and whit, to express the smallest degree; as, he is not a bit wiser.
3. A tool for boring, of various forms and sizes, usually turned by means of a brace or bitstock. See
Bitstock.
4. The part of a key which enters the lock and acts upon the bolt and tumblers. Knight.
5. The cutting iron of a plane. Knight.
6. In the Southern and Southwestern States, a small silver coin (as the real) formerly current; commonly,
one worth about 12 1/2 cents; also, the sum of 12 1/2 cents.
