mote

¹

[moht]

noun

1. a small particle or speck, especially of dust.

2. moit.

mote

²

[moht]

verb

Archaic.

past

moste 

1. may or might.

mote

¹

/ məʊt /

noun

1. a tiny speck

mote

²

/ məʊt /

verb

1. archaic,  (takes an infinitive without to) may or might

Other Word Forms

• motey adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mote¹

before 1000; Middle English, Old English mot speck; cognate with Dutch mot grit, sawdust, Norwegian mutt speck

Origin of mote²

before 900; Middle English mot ( e ), Old English mōt; cognate with German muss. See must ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of mote¹

Old English mot; compare Middle Dutch mot grit, Norwegian mutt speck

Origin of mote²

Old English mōt, first person singular present tense of mōtan to be allowed

Example Sentences

But even he receives a mote of benediction, especially when he commits sins he can’t undo.

From Salon

That is said with nary a mote of sarcasm.

From Salon

These machines, which are a mere one-billionth of a meter in size, are no larger than a mote of dust, truly living up to the name "nano."

From Salon

It takes a hard heart to not feel a mote of empathy for Gosselin as she runs dead last in a short marathon to their barracks, ugly crying the entire time.

From Salon

Dust motes floated through the sunset-red light and disappeared into dark shadows like lost, lonely phantoms.

From Literature