Definitions Related words Phrases Mentions Lyrics History Colors (New!) Easter eggs (New!)

Literary notes about Mite (AI summary)

The word "mite" has long been employed in literature as a multifaceted term, evoking both a sense of minuteness and a measure of modest contribution. In classic narratives, for example, authors like L. M. Montgomery ([1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6]) and Louisa May Alcott ([7], [8], [9], [10]) use "mite" to suggest a small, yet significant, quantity—whether in reference to a morsel of food or a token of affection—while in satirical and moral essays by Alexander Pope ([11], [12], [13], [14]) it poetically underscores the idea that even the smallest part should not be robbed. Similarly, in works ranging from Aesop’s fables ([15]) to Chekhov’s short stories ([16], [17], [18]) and even in historical and social commentary ([19], [20], [21]), the term carries a dual imagery of physical diminutiveness and symbolic worth. Thus, across a wide swath of literary genres, "mite" persistently resonates as both an indicator of literal smallness and a metaphor for the humble contributions that cumulatively make a significant impact.
  1. " Never, in all her life, had Rilla seen anything like the abject meekness with which those two big people obeyed that mite.
    — from Rilla of Ingleside by L. M. Montgomery
  2. The Elisha Wrights are thankful to be rid of her, and I can’t say I blame them a mite.”
    — from Anne of the Island by L. M. Montgomery
  3. I'll come when I can, and you come when you can, and so long's we have our pleasant little chat it don't matter a mite what roof's over us.
    — from Anne's House of Dreams by L. M. Montgomery
  4. ‘My, you don’t look a mite like I expected.
    — from Anne of the Island by L. M. Montgomery
  5. It don’t matter a mite.
    — from Anne of the Island by L. M. Montgomery
  6. It's a mite lonely, to be sure, with neither the light nor the water for company, but if our friends come to see us often we'll weather it through.
    — from Anne's House of Dreams by L. M. Montgomery
  7. "'Not a mite more than I ought, ma'am.
    — from Little Women; Or, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy by Louisa May Alcott
  8. "I should not wait for that, and I know mother would give her widow's mite if she saw that it was needed."
    — from Work: A Story of Experience by Louisa May Alcott
  9. “I've only held his head—I haven't given him a mite of medicine.
    — from Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter
  10. The cake ain't hurt a mite, and everything looks lovely."
    — from Little Women; Or, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy by Louisa May Alcott
  11. Commas and points they set exactly right, And ’twere a sin to rob them of their mite.
    — from An Essay on Man; Moral Essays and Satires by Alexander Pope
  12. Say what the use, were finer optics given, To inspect a mite, not comprehend the heaven?
    — from An Essay on Man; Moral Essays and Satires by Alexander Pope
  13. Commas and points they set exactly right, And 'twere a sin to rob them of their mite.
    — from The Rape of the Lock, and Other Poems by Alexander Pope
  14. Say what the use, were finer optics giv'n, T' inspect a mite, not comprehend the heav'n?
    — from The Rape of the Lock, and Other Poems by Alexander Pope
  15. Let this be their just object, and not one among the relieved would withhold his mite from their suffering fellows in other climes.
    — from Aesop's Fables by Aesop
  16. When I looked at this poor mite just now, I thought of my own Grishutka, and my heart went cold within me.”
    — from Project Gutenberg Compilation of Short Stories by Chekhov by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov
  17. “Poor motherless mite!”
    — from Project Gutenberg Compilation of Short Stories by Chekhov by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov
  18. Poor mite, God has preserved you, poor little one!
    — from Project Gutenberg Compilation of Short Stories by Chekhov by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov
  19. I've been lookin' round and watchin' things, and I know a little mite 'bout Woman's Rights, too.
    — from History of Woman Suffrage, Volume I
  20. I wanted to tell you a mite about Woman's Rights, and so I came out and said so.
    — from History of Woman Suffrage, Volume I
  21. I come forth to speak 'bout Woman's Rights, and want to throw in my little mite, to keep the scales a-movin'.
    — from History of Woman Suffrage, Volume I

More usage examples

Also see: Google, News, Images, Wikipedia, Reddit, Scrabble


Home   Reverse Dictionary / Thesaurus   Datamuse   Word games   Spruce   Feedback   Dark mode   Random word   Help


Color thesaurus

Use OneLook to find colors for words and words for colors

See an example

Literary notes

Use OneLook to learn how words are used by great writers

See an example

Word games

Try our innovative vocabulary games

Play Now

Read the latest OneLook newsletter issue: Compound Your Joy