Definitions for motto
ˈmɒt oʊmot·to

Princeton's WordNet(3.67 / 3 votes)Rate this definition:

1. motto, slogan, catchword, shibboleth(noun)

   a favorite saying of a sect or political group

Wiktionary(4.00 / 2 votes)Rate this definition:

1. motto(Noun)

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

   Etymology: motto (a word, a saying), muttum (a mutter, a grunt).

2. motto(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.

   "It was the motto of a bishop eminent for his piety and good works, ... Serve God, and be cheerful." -Addison.

   Etymology: motto (a word, a saying), muttum (a mutter, a grunt).

Webster Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Motto(noun)

   a sentence, phrase, or word, forming part of an heraldic achievment

   Etymology: [It. motto a word, a saying, L. muttum a mutter, a grunt, cf. muttire, mutire, to mutter, mumble; prob. of imitative origin. Cf. Mot a word.]

2. Motto(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

   Etymology: [It. motto a word, a saying, L. muttum a mutter, a grunt, cf. muttire, mutire, to mutter, mumble; prob. of imitative origin. Cf. Mot a word.]

Freebase(3.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Motto

   A motto is a phrase meant to formally summarize the general motivation or intention of a social group or organization. A motto may be in any language, but Latin is the most used in the Western world. The local language is usual in the mottoes of governments. In informal ways, it can be a rule or slogan someone follows, or lives their life by.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Motto

   mot′ō, n. a short sentence or phrase prefixed in anything intimating the subject of it: a phrase attached to a coat-of-arms: a paper packet containing a sweetmeat, cracker, &c., together with a scrap of paper bearing a motto—a motto-kiss:—pl. Mottoes (mot′ōz).—adj. Mott′oed. [Low L. muttum—muttīre, to mutter.]

Military Dictionary and Gazetteer(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. motto

   In heraldry, is a word or short sentence which forms an accompaniment to a coat of arms, crest, or household badge. In modern heraldry it is customary to place the motto in an escrol either above the crest or below the shield.

How to pronounce motto?

1. Alex

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

How to say motto in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of motto in Chaldean Numerology is: 8

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of motto in Pythagorean Numerology is: 2

Examples of motto in a Sentence

1. Andrew Carnegie:

   Concentration is my motto - first honesty, then industry, then concentration.

2. Mwanandeke Kindembo:

   After taking a while to meditate upon the motto of our generation. I came to the ultimate conclusion that our minds are mainly focused on wealth and health.

3. Sheriff Chris Francis:

   We looked at it as an opportunity to show our patriotism, i want to make sure that We Trust ' means know what ‘ In God We Trust' means and how blessed we are to be citizens in America, to live in western North Carolina and to be able to support our nation’s motto.

4. Theodore Hesburgh:

   I go back to an old Latin motto, opus justitiae pax: Peace is the work of justice, we've known 20 percent of the people in the world have 80 percent of the goodies, which means the other 80 percent have to scrape by on 20 percent.

5. Muriel Spark:

   No mind should submit their mind to another mind He that complies against his will is of his own opinion still -- that's my motto. I won't be brainwashed.

Images & Illustrations of motto

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