" bits "

[Noun]  | "bit" | \ ˈbit \

1: the biting or cutting edge or part of a tool

2: a replaceable part of a compound tool that actually performs the function (such as drilling or boring) for which the whole tool is designed

3: the jaws of tongs or pincers

Origin: 14th century ;

 Middle English bite, bit "bite of an animal, cutting edge, point, mouthpiece of a bridle," going back to Old English bite "bite of an animal, cut from a weapon," going back to Germanic *biti- (whence Old Saxon biti "bite, sting," Old High German biz [gebiz "mouthpiece of a bridle"], Old Norse bit), noun derivative from the base of *bītan- "to bite" {mat|bite:1|bite:1};

[Noun]  | "bit" 

1: a small quantity of food; especially : a small delicacy

2: a small piece or quantity of some material thing

3: a coin of a specified small denomination

Origin: before 12th century ;

 Middle English bite, bit "mouthful of food, morsel," going back to Old English bita, bite, going back to Germanic *bitan- (whence Middle Dutch bete "morsel," Old High German bizzo, Old Norse biti), noun derivative from the base of *bītan- "to bite" {mat|bite:1|};

[Noun]  | "bit" 

1: a unit of computer information equivalent to the result of a choice between two alternatives (such as yes or no, on or off)

2: the physical representation of a bit by an electrical pulse, a magnetized spot, or a hole whose presence or absence indicates data

Origin: 1948 ;

 From binary digi;

  * Note : The term bit was introduced into general circulation by Claude {shannon|Shannon:b} in "A Mathematical Theory of Communication," Bell System Technical Journal, vol. 27, July, 1948, p. 380: "The choice of a logarithmic base corresponds to the choice of a unit for measuring information. If the base 2 is used the resulting units may be called binary digits, or more briefly bits, a word suggested by J.W. Tukey." The American mathematician John W. Tukey (1915-2000) had used the word in a Bell Labs memorandum, "Sequential Conversion of Continuous Data to Digital Data," dated January 9, 1947. Tukey employed bit as a counterpart in a binary system to digit in the decimal system. For details see: "The Origin of Bit" in the "Anecdotes" section of Annals of the History of Computing, vol 6, no. 2 (April, 1984), pp. 152-55.;

[Noun]  | "two bits" 

1: the value of a quarter of a dollar

2: something of small worth or importance

Origin: 1730 ;

[Noun]  | "parity bit" 

1: a bit added to an array of bits (as on magnetic tape) to provide parity as a means of error checking

Origin: 1955 ;

[Noun]  | "sixpenny bit" 

1: sixpence

Origin: 1861 ;

[Verb]  | "bit" 

1: to put part of a bridle in the mouth of (a horse) : to put a bit in the mouth of (a horse)

2: to control as if with a bit

3: to form a bit on (a key)

Origin: 1583 ;

 Derivative of {see: |bit:1|bit:1};

[Plural noun]  | "bits and bobs" 

1: things or objects of different kinds

[Plural noun]  | "bits and pieces" 

1: small pieces

2: things or objects of different kinds

[Idiom]  | "thrilled to bits" 

1: very excited and pleased

[Noun]  | "bits" 

[Noun]  | "bit" 

[Plural noun]  | "two bits" 

[Phrase]  | "to bits"