mot

[ moh ]

noun

1. a pithy or witty remark; bon mot.
2. Archaic. a note on a horn, bugle, etc.

mot

¹

/ məʊ /

noun

1. short for bon mot

mot

²

/ mɒt /

noun

1. slang.
   a girl or young woman, esp one's girlfriend

MOT

³

abbreviation for

1. (in New Zealand and formerly in Britain) Ministry of Transport (in Britain now part of the DTLR) See DTLR
2. (in Britain) MOT test: a compulsory annual test for all road vehicles over a certain age, which require a valid MOT certificate

Word History and Origins

Origin of mot¹

1625–35; < French < Late Latin muttum utterance. See motto

Word History and Origins

Origin of mot¹

C16: via French from Vulgar Latin mottum (unattested) utterance, from Latin muttum a mutter, from muttīre to mutter

Origin of mot²

perhaps a variant of mort , obsolete slang for girl or woman, of unknown origin

Example Sentences

A talented cartoonist, distinguished practical joker, and recognized as one of the kings of bon mot, he led a free and easy life.

From Project Gutenberg

This style of the decadence is the "dernier mot" of Verbe, summoned to express all and to venture to the very extremes.

From Project Gutenberg

A joke, a banter, a bon-mot, make more impression upon the man of the world than all the grave notions of his religion.

From Project Gutenberg

So Macklin subsided; and Thyrsis learned afterwards that his remark was going the rounds, being considered to be a mot.

From Project Gutenberg

The "sire," fell on the ears of Madame Chalice like a mot in a play; but Valmond, living up to his part, was grave and solicitous.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• gibe
• wisecrack