motte

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“
A magnificent example of a Norman motte-and-bailey castle, Carisbrooke Castle was built on an isolated chalk hill, which had previously been used as a high status burial ground in the 6th century.

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Definitions (3)

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  1. noun Texas A copse or small stand of trees on a prairie.
  2. noun Upper Southern U.S. A tuft of human or animal hair standing up on the head or body.

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Examples (50)

  • Such fantasies could arise from my unconscious because there may be in my racial memory a cylindrical 'keep' high upon its 'motte and bailey' My more recent forebears stored out-of-season cattle fodder in trenches or bunkers, so towers have probably little bearing on my 'O silo mio!' fantasy. —  Orangeville
  • There are a number of historic sites to be found within the forest, for example, the Norman motte dates back to the 12th century and the ruined graveyard was recorded in 14th century documents. —  Belfasttelegraph.co.uk - Frontpage RSS Feed
  • The Ice House, built into the side of the motte, also dates from this time. —  Belfasttelegraph.co.uk - Frontpage RSS Feed
  • They had a wooden tower (the keep) built on a high mound (the motte) with a fenced area (the bailey) at the foot of the mound. —  OUPblog
  • Model of motte-and-bailey castle, from Wikimedia Commons —  A Corner of Tenth-Century Europe
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Etymologies (2)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (2)

  1. American Spanish mata, from Spanish, shrub, probably from Late Latin matta, mat; see mat1.
  2. From French, from Old French mote, mound.
 

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