mite
UK[maɪt]US[maɪt]
n
a very tiny creature that is related to spiders and often lives on plants, animals, or in dust.
n
a very small amount of money or a small child, especially one you feel sympathy for.
Etymology
The word 'mite' entered English from Middle Dutch, carrying the dual meanings of a tiny arachnid and a small coin of little value. This Proto-Germanic root is thought to be related to the act of cutting or shredding, possibly evoking the idea of something minute or fragmented. Over time, the concrete meanings naturally extended into the figurative realm, giving us the modern sense of any very small amount or a tiny, often pitiable, creature. The journey from a term for cutting to one denoting extreme smallness illustrates a common path of semantic evolution based on perceived characteristics.
Analysis
The word 'mite' is a simplex word. It is a loanword from Middle Dutch 'mīte', meaning a small insect or a small Flemish coin. Its ultimate origin is from a Proto-Germanic root.
Examples
The house dust mite is a common cause of allergies.
He offered to contribute his mite to the charity fund.
The poor little mite was crying for his mother.