motte

American  

[mot] / mɒt /

Or mott

noun

Chiefly Southwestern U.S.

1. a grove or clump of trees in prairie land or open country.

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motte British  

/ mɒt /

noun

1. history a natural or man-made mound on which a castle was erected

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Etymology

Origin of motte

An Americanism first recorded in 1830–40; from Mexican Spanish mata; Spanish: “grove, plantation,” perhaps from Late Latin matta mat ¹

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

motte

In Castle Pulverbatch lie the remains of a motte and bailey castle, believed to be more than 1,000 years old.

From BBC ● Jun. 10, 2026

During the forenoon we passed over a "motte" of prairie or park.

From Seven and Nine years Among the Camanches and Apaches An Autobiography by Clark Johnson M.D.

He who has read Wace's story of Duke William's ride from Valognes and of his greeting by Hubert of Rye will remember how Hubert was standing "entre le moutier et la motte."

From Sketches of Travel in Normandy and Maine by William Holden Hutton

Near the centre was a motte of heavy timber, growing up from a leafy underwood.

From The Scalp Hunters by F.A. Stewart

“As we entered the prairie, Captain; but my route will lie past this motte to the left.”

From The Rifle Rangers by Mayne Reid

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