Mite

Contraction of minute, from the Latin minutum, the translation of the Greek word lepton, the very smallest bronze of copper coin (Luke 12:59; 21:2). Two mites made one quadrans, i.e., the fourth part of a Roman as, which was in value nearly a halfpenny. (See FARTHING.)

a coin current in Palestine in the time of our Lord. (Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4) It seems in Palestine to have been the smallest piece of money (worth about one-fifth of a cent), being the half of the farthing, which was a coin of very low value. From St. Mark’s explanation, “two mites, which make a farthing,” ver. 42, it may perhaps be inferred that the farthing was the commoner coin.

MITE, the lowest denomination of Jewish money - two mites making a farthing - and probably of the value of two mills of our currency. Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4.

MITE, the lowest denomination of Jewish money - two mites making a farthing - and probably of the value of two mills of our currency. Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. 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. 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.