Biting: meaning, definitions and examples

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biting

[ˈbaɪtɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

describing a sharp or pungent taste

Having a biting taste means that the flavor is strong, sharp, or intense, often causing a tingling or burning sensation on the tongue. This type of taste is often associated with foods like chili peppers, vinegar, or mustard.

Synonyms

intense, pungent, sharp.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
biting	Used to describe something that is harsh, cold, or extremely unpleasant, often referring to weather or criticism. The biting wind made it difficult to walk outside. Her biting remarks hurt his feelings.
sharp	Used to describe something that is clear, distinct, and often sudden, can refer to a physical object, a sound, or even a person's mind. Be careful, the knife is very sharp. There was a sharp increase in sales last month. He has a sharp mind, always coming up with clever solutions.
pungent	Used to describe a very strong, sharp smell or taste that is often unpleasant. The pungent odor of garlic filled the kitchen. She wrinkled her nose at the pungent smell coming from the trash can.
intense	Used to describe something that is very strong, powerful, or extreme, often related to emotions, experiences, or efforts. He felt an intense pain in his leg after the accident. Her intense focus helped her to succeed in the competition.

Examples of usage

The chili sauce had a biting flavor that left my mouth tingling.
The lemon juice added a biting tang to the salad.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

to cause a sharp pain or discomfort by clamping down

When something is biting, it means that it is causing a sharp or stinging pain by clamping down on a body part. This action can be physical, like an insect biting a person, or metaphorical, like a biting comment causing emotional pain.

Synonyms

clamping, nipping, stinging.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
biting	This word, in addition to the forceful and painful use of teeth, can describe something that is intensely cold or harsh. The biting wind made it hard to walk outside. He felt the biting chill of the air.
clamping	This word is often used in mechanical or medical contexts, to describe the act of holding or fastening something firmly. The mechanic was clamping the pieces together to ensure they stayed in place. The doctor was clamping the artery to stop the bleeding.
stinging	This word is used to describe a sharp, burning sensation, often associated with insects, plants, or harsh remarks. It has a negative connotation. The bee's stinging attack left a red mark on his arm. His stinging words left her feeling hurt and embarrassed.
nipping	This word refers to a light, quick use of the teeth or even a pinch. It's often used to describe the playful or gentle biting by animals. The puppy kept nipping at her heels. She felt a nipping pain as the crab pinched her toe.

Examples of usage

The mosquito kept biting me all night long.
Her biting remarks made everyone uncomfortable.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Old English 'byttan', which means to grasp or chew.
In Middle English, it evolved to 'biten', indicating the act of using teeth.

Psychology

Biting remarks often indicate frustration or anger, serving as a defense mechanism in communication.
The way someone delivers a sharp comment can reflect their mood and inner feelings.
Psychological studies show that people might resort to biting words as a way to assert power during conflict.

Pop Culture

In films and literature, biting commentary is often used for comic relief or to display wit.
Famous personalities, like Oscar Wilde, were known for their biting humor, making sharp observations about society.

Animal Behavior

Many animals bite to defend themselves or claim territory, highlighting instinctive survival behaviors.
In the animal kingdom, a biting action is a critical part of hunting strategies for predators.
Biting can also be a form of communication in some species, signaling warnings or establishing dominance.

Literature

Writers often use biting language to convey strong emotions or critiques of society.
In poetry, biting phrases can create vivid images or intense feelings, leaving a lasting impression on readers.
Characters in novels may use biting dialogue to develop tension or conflict in the storyline.

Translations

Translations of the word "biting" in other languages:

🇵🇹 mordida

🇮🇳 काटना (kaatna)

🇩🇪 beißen

🇮🇩 menggigit

🇺🇦 укушування

🇵🇱 gryzienie

🇯🇵 噛む (kamu)

🇫🇷 mordre

🇪🇸 mordedura

🇹🇷 ısırma

🇰🇷 물다 (mulda)

🇸🇦 عض

🇨🇿 kousání

🇸🇰 hrýzť

🇨🇳 咬 (yǎo)

🇸🇮 ugriz

🇮🇸 bíta

🇰🇿 тістеу

🇬🇪 კბენა (k'bena)

🇦🇿 dişləmək

🇲🇽 mordedura

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,086, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

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11083 apron
11084 northerly
11085 cos
11086 biting
11087 rectum
11088 worshipped
11089 militant
...