Mite, n.
Etymology: [AS. mite mite (in sense 1); akin to LG. mite, D. mijt, G. miete, OHG. miza; cf. Goth. maitan to cut.]
1. (Zoöl.)
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. Etym: [D. mijt; prob. the same word.]
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.
2 more senses
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.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for mite; he lists it under particle.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.