Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A brief statement used to express a principle, goal, or ideal.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A short pithy sentence or phrase, sometimes a single word, used to indicate the tenor of that to which it is attached (as an essay or a treatise), or adopted as expressive of one's guiding idea or principle, or appended to a device or a coat of arms.
  • noun The poetry or verse contained in a motto-kiss or paper cracker.
  • noun A motto-kiss.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun (Her.) A sentence, phrase, or word, forming part of an heraldic achievment.
  • noun 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.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun heraldry A sentence, phrase, or word, forming part of an heraldic achievement.
  • noun 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.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun a favorite saying of a sect or political group

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Italian, word, motto, probably from Vulgar Latin *mōttum, word; see mot.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Italian motto (a word, a saying), Latin muttum (a mutter, a grunt).

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word motto.

Examples

  • The Latin motto is "audacia et prudentia" - courage and prudence.

    Joshua Memorial Stone: new regina doman 2007

  • The Latin motto is "audacia et prudentia" - courage and prudence.

    Archive 2007-08-01 regina doman 2007

  • Let's face it...on the surface, the biggest thing happening in this town is the "Kanawha Kordsmen Barbershop Chorus" performing tonight at the "Clay Center for the Arts," & the town's motto is Latin for "Hey, we just got cable!"

    LOSTCasts 55: The Brig 2007

  • Possibly in a bid to allay fears that nationalism and protectionism were driving the agenda--though it's hard to wonder how they couldn't in a country whose motto translates as "we wish to remain what we are"--a Luxembourg minister said on Tuesday that the takeover law, which it plans to enact in May, was in no way aimed at creating impediments to Mittal's play for Arcelor.

    Luxembourg Minister: We're Not Trying To Stop Mittal 2006

  • The motto translates as "By Dilgence, Courage and Work" - the initials of the Latin rendering spelling an early form of the town's name, Ivel.

    unknown title 2009

  • I don't care much anymore, but my motto is the same ...

    Clinton says she expects lead in popular vote, primary delegates 2008

  • Glad you like the title motto—Zelda sends best—Remember me to Ted.

    A Life in Letters F. SCOTT FITZGERALD 1994

  • Glad you like the title motto—Zelda sends best—Remember me to Ted.

    A Life in Letters F. SCOTT FITZGERALD 1994

  • Very well, your motto is the advancement of the interests of Canada and a United Empire.

    Imperialism 1906

  • I once know'd a Yankee who had what he called a motto, an 'it was this, ` Never give in,' xcept w'en yer wrong. '

    The Pioneers 1859

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.

  • The longest common word that, when written in Morse code, consists entirely of dashes (10 of them, to be precise).

    --Will Shortz's intro to "Wordplay: A curious dictionary of language oddities" by Chris Cole.

    See also, sissies.

    May 17, 2008