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

Example Sentences

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

From The Scalp Hunters by Stewart, F.A.

The hunters, at the suggestion, galloped off to surround the motte.

From The Scalp Hunters by Stewart, F.A.

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

From The Rifle Rangers by Reid, Mayne

The castle of Trematon also consists of a "motte" surmounted by a circular keep, and a base-court with square tower at the entrance, with an archway.

From Cornwall by Baring-Gould, S. (Sabine)

To the right, and some two or three hundred yards off is a motte of timber, standing solitary on the otherwise treeless expanse.

From The Death Shot A Story Retold by Reid, Mayne