mite

1. (sometimes used adverbially) Anything very small; a minute object; a very little quantity or particle.Examples: "a mite"; "It takes a thousand men to invent a telegraph, or a steam engine, or a phonograph, or a photograph, or a telephone or any other important thing — and the last man gets the credit and we forget the others. He added his little mite — that is all he did."; ""Well," I says, "I cal'late a body could get used to Tophet if he stayed there long enough." She flared up; the least mite of a slam at Doctor Wool was enough to set her going."Synonyms: atom, speck, ace, tinge, atom, aught, bissel, bit

2. (colloquial, often as a term of endearment) A small or naughty person, or one people take pity on; rascal.Examples: "Today's children at Christmas-time take a cast-off toy to the Toy Service held in many churches, and it is a pretty sight to watch those tiny mites clutching their toys and parting from them.j"; "“Tom told me that, but twasn't your fault, the little mite just couldn't wait to be born that's all.” A small smile played on Leah's lips."Synonyms: rogue, scamp, agitator, bad boy, bad news, bear, bhoy, blackguard