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

Of Mont Barbet nothing is left but the motte or agger, dating doubtless from far earlier days, but which, as so often happens, has outlived the buildings which were placed upon and around it.

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

Then we go on and find that there is a near slope to the north-east also, so we have our "moutier" and the almost certain site of our "motte."

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

A motte of timber had served him as a mark: the steed had passed close to its edge.

From The War Trail The Hunt of the Wild Horse by Reid, Mayne

A minute after, the horsemen appeared round the motte, riding slowly back, with that air and attitude that betoken disappointment.

From The Rifle Rangers by Reid, Mayne

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

From The Scalp Hunters by Stewart, F.A.