Bite
Bite. The minute amount of metal removed by one stroke of an engraving tool, or the amount of metal dissolved by acid during a single immersion in a mordant solution by acid etching. An unwanted removal of metal is called a foul bite. See acid etching, engraving.
excerpted with permission from
An Encyclopedia of Coin and Medal Technology
For Artists, Makers, Collectors and Curators
COMPILED AND WRITTEN BY D. WAYNE JOHNSON
Roger W. Burdette, Editor