Mite \Mite\, n. [AS. m[=i]te mite (in sense 1); akin to LG. mite, D. mijt, G. miete, OHG. m[=i]za; cf. Goth. maitan to cut.]

1. (Zo["o]l.) A minute arachnid, of the order Acarina, of which there are many species; as, the cheese mite, sugar mite, harvest mite, etc. See Acarina.

2. [D. mijt; prob. the same word.]

A small coin formerly circulated in England, rated at about a third of a farthing. The name is also applied to a small coin used in Palestine in the time of Christ.

Two mites, which make a farthing. --Mark xii. 49.

3. A small weight; one twentieth of a grain.

4. Anything very small; a minute object; a very little quantity or particle.

For in effect they be not worth a myte. --Chaucer.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)