motte

or mott

[ mot ]

/ mɒt /

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noun Chiefly Southwestern U.S.

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

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Origin of motte

An Americanism first recorded in 1830–40; from Mexican Spanish mata; Spanish: “grove, plantation,” perhaps from Late Latin matta mat¹

Words nearby motte

Motown, Motril, Motrin, motser, Mott, motte, Mottelson, MOT test, mottle, mottled, mottled enamel

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use motte in a sentence

He therefore asked Mrs. Motte, owner of the place, whether she would allow him to set fire to it, to force the British out.
The Story of the Thirteen Colonies|H. A. (Hlne Adeline) Guerber
The Count de la Motte next proceeded to London and there sold several hundreds of diamonds.
Stories about Famous Precious Stones|Mrs Goddard Orpen
In possession of four hundred thousand dollars worth of diamonds, Madame de la Motte's next difficulty was to sell them.
Stories about Famous Precious Stones|Mrs Goddard Orpen
He was a very useful friend to Madame de la Motte until at last he turned king's evidence and explained the whole fraud.
Stories about Famous Precious Stones|Mrs Goddard Orpen

Even Gougeon seemed to be waked up, and fixed his greedy black eyes on Motte.
The False Chevalier|William Douw Lighthall

British Dictionary definitions for motte

motte

/ (mɒt) /

noun

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

Word Origin for motte

C14: see moat

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012