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bit
/bɪt/
In its most common usage as a noun, it suggests an informal, imprecise quantity. It feels more casual than "portion" or "fragment," often used to downplay the size of something (e.g., "a bit tired"). In computing, it is a technical absolute—the binary foundation of all digital information. There is no nuance here; it is a precise mathematical unit. As a verb, the word carries an aggressive or instinctive energy. While usually physical, it can extend to metaphorical traps (as seen in fishing), where "biting" represents falling for a lure or provocation.
Countable when referring to a binary digit in computing ('a 64-bit processor') or the metal piece in a horse's mouth. Uncountable when describing an indeterminate small amount of something ('a bit of luck' or 'a bit of cake').
意味
コロケーション・複合語
a bit of
A small amount or quantity of something.
bit rate
The number of bits that are processed per unit of time in a digital signal.
drill bit
The cutting tool used in a drill to create holes.
bit part
A very small acting role in a play or movie.
a bit much
Excessive or unreasonable in behavior or demand.
イディオム・ことわざ
bit by bit
Gradually; in small increments.
a bit of a stretch
An exaggeration or something that is unlikely to be true.
bite the bit
To accept a difficult situation with determination (related to horse control).
one bit
Used for emphasis in negative statements, meaning 'at all'.
a bit much
Excessive or unreasonable.
語源
The word 'bit' has several distinct origins based on its meaning: (1) As a small piece, it is a shortening of 'bite' (Old English 'bītan'), referring to a piece that has been bitten off. (2) In computing, it is a portmanteau of 'binary digit', coined in 1948. (3) As a horse's mouthpiece, it derives from the same root as 'bite', referencing the object placed in the mouth. (4) As the past tense of 'bite', it stems from the Old English 'bāt'.