# biting

Pronunciation: US say "BY-ting" /ˈbaɪtɪŋ/; UK

## Verb

1. Present participle of bite. — present participle and gerund of bite
   - Simple: Present participle of bite. Use this form for the action happening now or as an -ing word.
   - _The horse kept biting at the fence post out of boredom._
   - _She is biting into the apple before the photographer is ready._

## Adjective

2. Producing a sharp, stinging sensation, as from cold or wind.
   - Simple: Sharp and painful in a way that stings, like very cold wind.
   - _The biting frost numbed his fingers within minutes of the climb._
   - _A biting chill swept through the mountain pass at dawn._
3. Sharply critical or sarcastic; cutting in tone or wit.
   - Simple: Harsh and sharp, like words meant to hurt or criticize someone.
   - _The critic's biting review demolished the new play overnight._
   - _She delivered a biting satire of corporate office life._
4. Inclined or likely to bite, as certain animals or insects.
   - Simple: Likely to bite, the way some animals or insects do.
   - _Biting flies tormented the cattle throughout the summer._
   - _Their dog has a biting habit that the family is trying to correct._

## Noun

5. An occasion on which a person, animal, or thing is bitten.
   - Simple: A single time when something is bitten by teeth.
   - _The repeated biting of the leash eventually frayed it apart._
   - _A nervous biting of her nails gave away her stress before the interview._
6. A small, bite-sized snack eaten in a single mouthful. *(Kenya)*
   - Simple: A small piece of food you can eat in one bite.
   - _He grabbed a biting from the tray as he passed the kitchen._
   - _The café offers an assortment of sweet bitings with afternoon tea._

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/biting (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).