Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
MITE
I. noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English mīte; akin to Middle Dutch mite mite, small copper coin Date: before 12th century any of numerous small acarid arachnids that often infest animals, plants, and stored foods and include important disease vectors,
II. noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French or Middle Dutch; Middle French, small Flemish copper coin, from Middle Dutch
Date: 14th century
a small coin or sum of money,
2. a very little ; bit , a very small object or creature