Motte vs. Motto — What's the Difference?

A copse or small stand of trees on a prairie.

A motto (derived from the Latin muttum, 'mutter', by way of Italian motto, 'word', 'sentence') is the general motivation or intention of an individual, family, social group or organization. Mottos are usually found predominantly in written form (unlike slogans, which may also be expressed orally), and may stem from long traditions of social foundations, or from significant events, such as a civil war or a revolution.

A flat-topped mound of earth, often made artificially in the Middle Ages, on which was built a wooden or stone defensive structure.

A short sentence or phrase chosen as encapsulating the beliefs or ideals of an individual, family, or institution

A raised earth mound, often topped with a wooden or stone structure and surrounded with a ditch.

A phrase which recurs throughout a musical work and has some symbolical significance

Alternative form of mott

A brief statement used to express a principle, goal, or ideal

A clump of trees in a prairie.

(heraldry) A sentence, phrase, or word, forming part of an heraldic achievement.

A sentence, phrase, or word, prefixed to an essay, discourse, chapter, canto, or the like, suggestive of its subject matter; a short, suggestive expression of a guiding principle; a maxim.

(obsolete) A paper packet containing a sweetmeat, cracker, etc., together with a scrap of paper bearing a motto.

(intransitive) To compose mottos.

A sentence, phrase, or word, forming part of an heraldic achievment.

A sentence, phrase, or word, prefixed to an essay, discourse, chapter, canto, or the like, suggestive of its subject matter; a short, suggestive expression of a guiding principle; a maxim.

A favorite saying of a sect or political group