Morton

American  

[mawr-tn] / ˈmɔr tn /

noun

1. Jelly Roll Ferdinand Morton, 1885–1941, U.S. jazz pianist, composer, and band leader.

2. Levi Parsons 1824–1920, vice president of the U.S. 1889–93; governor of New York 1895–96.

3. William Thomas Green, 1819–68, U.S. dentist: first to employ ether as an anesthetic.

4. a town in central Illinois.

5. a male given name: a family name taken from a Norman placename meaning “town on the moor.”

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Morton British  

/ ˈmɔːtən /

noun

1. 4th Earl of, title of James Douglas. 1516–81, regent of Scotland (1572–78) for the young James VI. He was implicated in the murders of Rizzio (1566) and Darnley (1567) and played a leading role in ousting Mary, Queen of Scots; executed

2. Jelly Roll, real name Ferdinand Joseph La Menthe Morton. 1885–1941, US jazz pianist, singer, and songwriter; one of the creators of New Orleans jazz

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Example Sentences

However, defending the appointment earlier this year, Sir Keir said Lord Doyle "did not give a full account" of his links to Morton.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

Avi Kaner, the former owner of New York’s 17-store Morton Williams grocery chain, said “$30 million is an awful lot to spend to build one supermarket.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

Morton, who trained at the prestigious Central School of Speech and Drama in London, was also a noted stage actor who founded the Raindog Theatre Company with fellow actors Robert Carlyle and Caroline Paterson.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

"He taught me so much. I owe him so much, and he will forever be in my heart. RIP Alexander Morton."

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

Even the little cellar places with only piano space had fabulous keyboard artists such as James P. Johnson and Jelly Roll Morton, and singers such as Ethel Waters.

From "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" by Alex Malcolm X;Hailey