mite
mite — 名詞
- mitesingular
- mitesplural
1. A microscopic arachnid, smaller than a spider, whose many species can live as pa
蟎；蟎蟲
與蜘蛛同類的微小節肢動物
A microscopic arachnid, smaller than a spider, whose many species can live as parasites on animals, feed on garden plants, or thrive in house dust where they may trigger allergies.
Lotte found a dust mite under her bedroom rug when she helped her mother clean.
Lotte 幫媽媽打掃時，在她臥室地毯下發現了一隻塵蟎。
collocation: dust mite
The tiny red mites on the tomato plants were eating holes through the leaves.
番茄植株上的紅色小蟎蟲正在葉子上咬出一個個小洞。
Some mites that live on birds can accidentally bite people who handle the birds.
有些寄生在鳥類身上的蟎，可能會不小心咬到接觸鳥類的人。
Dahlia learned in biology class that mites are not insects but arachnids like spiders.
Dahlia 在生物課上學到，蟎不是昆蟲，而是像蜘蛛一樣的蛛形綱動物。
The dog's scratching was caused by ear mites that the vet treated with special drops.
那隻狗不停地抓癢，是因為耳朵裡有耳疥蟲，獸醫用了特效藥來治療。
2. A noun used in British English to describe a very young boy or girl in a way tha
小可憐；娃
對幼小孩子的憐愛稱呼
A noun used in British English to describe a very young boy or girl in a way that expresses warmth, pity, or protective fondness.
Poor little mite — Selim had a fever all night and could barely open his eyes.
可憐的小傢伙——Selim 發了一整晚燒，連眼睛都快睜不開了。
affectionate phrase: 'poor little mite'
Beatrix was a tiny mite when she took her first steps across the kitchen floor.
Beatrix 還是個小小娃兒時，就搖搖晃晃地走過了廚房地板上她的第一步。
The orphaned kitten was a sad little mite, thin and crying for its mother.
那隻被遺棄的小貓咪真是個瘦弱的小可憐，一直哭著找媽媽。
The baby was a sweet little mite, fast asleep and clutching a stuffed rabbit.
小寶寶真是個可愛的小傢伙，熟睡中還抱著一隻布偶兔子。
Rohan was a cheerful little mite who waved at everyone who passed his pram.
Rohan 是個開朗的小傢伙，看到每個經過他嬰兒車的人都會揮手。
用法筆記
Almost always preceded by an adjective such as 'little', 'poor', 'sad', 'sweet', or 'tiny'. The sense can also extend to very young animals, especially pets.
常見錯誤
3. A small but noticeable quantity of something, especially a substance or abstract
少量；一點點
不大但可察覺的數量
A small but noticeable quantity of something, especially a substance or abstract quality.
There was only a mite of sugar left in the bowl, barely enough for coffee.
碗裡只剩下一點點糖，幾乎不夠泡咖啡。
pattern: 'a mite of [noun]'
Kasia added a mite of salt to the sauce to bring out the flavour.
Kasia 在醬汁裡加了一點點鹽來提味。
Ilan felt a mite of guilt about leaving the party so early.
Ilan 因為太早離開派對而感到一絲愧疚。
The recipe calls for only a mite of cinnamon, so do not use too much.
食譜上只要求加一點點肉桂，所以別放太多。
Apinya offered a mite of comfort to her friend after hearing the bad news.
Apinya 聽到朋友的不幸消息後，給了她一絲安慰。
- bit
much more common and neutral; works with both countable and uncountable nouns (a bit of cake, a bit of luck)
- touch
suggests a very subtle, often abstract amount (a touch of humour)
- dash
implies a small, quick addition, usually of ingredients (a dash of lemon)
- hint
means the smallest trace, especially of flavour or colour (a hint of vanilla)
文法句型
a mite of + uncountable noun
用法筆記
Nearly always found in the fixed phrase 'a mite of'. Unlike 'bit' or 'little', it is less common in modern everyday speech and has a slightly old-fashioned or literary tone.
常見錯誤
4. To a small extent; somewhat. Used in the fixed phrase 'a mite' placed before an
有點；稍微
固定用法a mite加形容詞表稍微
To a small extent; somewhat. Used in the fixed phrase 'a mite' placed before an adjective or adverb to soften or reduce the quality.
The soup tasted a mite too salty after Elena added extra soy sauce by mistake.
Elena 不小心多加了醬油，湯喝起來有點太鹹了。
pattern: 'a mite + too + adjective'
Sade thought the jacket was a mite too expensive for a casual weekend trip.
Sade 覺得那件外套對一趟週末出遊來說有點太貴了。
The train arrived a mite early, so the passengers had to wait on the platform.
火車稍微提早到了，所以乘客得在月臺上等一會兒。
Mizuki's voice sounded a mite shaky during the presentation to the class.
Mizuki 在課堂報告時，聲音聽起來有點抖。
This chair is a mite uncomfortable for sitting at the desk all afternoon.
這張椅子坐一整個下午有點不太舒服。
文法句型
a mite + adjective
a mite + adverb
a mite too + adjective
用法筆記
Only appears in the fixed form 'a mite' — 'mite' is never used alone as an adverb. 'A mite' is always followed by an adjective or adverb, or by 'too' + adjective/adverb. More common in spoken British English than in writing.