mote

¹ American  

[moht] / moʊt /

noun

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

2. moit.

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mote ² American  

[moht] / moʊt /

verb

Archaic.

past

moste

1. may or might.

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mote ¹ British  

/ məʊt /

noun

1. a tiny speck

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mote ² British  

/ məʊt /

verb

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

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Other Word Forms

• motey adjective

Etymology

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

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