Difference between revisions of "Definition: Motto" - New World Encyclopedia
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| − | # | + | ==Etymology== |
| + | Borrowed from [[Italian]] ''motto'' (“a word, a saying”), from [[Latin]] ''muttum'' (“a mutter, a grunt”), late sixteenth century. Doublet of ''mot''. | ||
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| + | ==Noun== | ||
| + | '''motto''' (plural '''mottos''' or '''mottoes''') | ||
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| + | # ([[heraldry]]) A sentence, phrase, or word, forming part of an heraldic achievement. | ||
# A [[sentence]], [[phrase]], or [[word]], [[prefix]]ed to an [[essay]], [[discourse]], [[chapter]], [[canto]], or the like, [[suggestive]] of its subject matter; a short, suggestive [[expression]] of a [[guide|guiding]] [[principle]]; a [[maxim]]. | # A [[sentence]], [[phrase]], or [[word]], [[prefix]]ed to an [[essay]], [[discourse]], [[chapter]], [[canto]], or the like, [[suggestive]] of its subject matter; a short, suggestive [[expression]] of a [[guide|guiding]] [[principle]]; a [[maxim]]. | ||
| − | #: '' | + | #: ''The '''motto''' of the bishop, eminent for his piety and good works, was "Serve God, and be cheerful."'' |
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| + | ==Verb== | ||
| + | '''motto''' (third-person singular simple present '''mottos''', present participle '''mottoing''', simple past and past participle '''mottoed''') | ||
| + | |||
| + | # (intransitive) To compose '''mottos'''. | ||
{{Wictionary_credits|motto|5520783}} | {{Wictionary_credits|motto|5520783}} | ||
Latest revision as of 14:23, 2 August 2023
Etymology
Borrowed from Italian motto (“a word, a saying”), from Latin muttum (“a mutter, a grunt”), late sixteenth century. Doublet of mot.
Noun
motto (plural mottos or mottoes)
- (heraldry) A sentence, phrase, or word, forming part of an heraldic achievement.
- A sentence, phrase, or word, prefixed to an essay, discourse, chapter, canto, or the like, suggestive of its subject matter; a short, suggestive expression of a guiding principle; a maxim.
- The motto of the bishop, eminent for his piety and good works, was "Serve God, and be cheerful."
Verb
motto (third-person singular simple present mottos, present participle mottoing, simple past and past participle mottoed)
- (intransitive) To compose mottos.
Credits
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