motto Definition
motto (mät′ō)
noun pl. -·toes or -·tos
- a word, phrase, or sentence chosen as expressive of the goals or ideals of a nation, group, etc. and inscribed on a seal, banner, coin, etc.
- a maxim adopted as a principle of behavior
Etymology: It, a word < L muttum: see mot
motto Synonyms
motto
n.
Familiar mottoes include: in God we trust; one from many, e pluribus unum (Latin); time flies, tempus fugit (Latin); seize the day, carpe diem (Latin); art for art's sake, ars pro arte (Latin); art is long and time is fleeting, ars longa, vita brevis (Latin); hail and farewell, ave atque vale (Latin); rest in peace, requiescat in pace (Latin), R.I.P.; peace be with you, pax vobiscum (Latin); love conquers all, labor conquers all, amor omnia vincit, labor omnia vincit (Latin); one for all and all for one; I came, I saw, I conquered, veni, vidi, vici (Latin); home sweet home, God bless our home, don't tread on me, thus be it always with tyrants, sic semper tyrannis (Latin); liberty, equality, fraternity, liberté, égalité, fraternité (French); God and my right, Dieu et mon droit (French), honi soit qui mal y pense (French), shamed be anyone who thinks evil of it; all is lost save honor, tout est perdu fors l'honneur (French); don't give up the ship; remember the Alamo; Our Country, right or wrong; abandon hope, all ye who enter here; knowledge is power; winning isn't everything, it's the only thing.
motto Usage Examples
Converse of object
- adopt: You will do well to adopt the Greek motto - there is always tomorrow.
- bear: In the center is a green circle bearing the motto in gold, inside the circle is a thistle on a gold field.
- remember: Remember this motto - fail to plan - plan to fail.
- choose: They chose the motto for the archive: " No documents, no history.
- have: He had a motto, his motto was " All or nothing.
Adjective modifier
- Latin: A local printer produced a smart booklet, with the cover bearing the school badge or Latin motto.
- unofficial: You take great pride in the Kennedy's unofficial motto of from " bench to bedside.
- favorite: In conclusion, then, it is time to update the favorite motto of development policymakers.
- official: We French, are lucky enough to live in a beautiful country, where the word fraternité is part of the official motto.
- personal: His personal motto is, " appropriate technology for the appropriate job.
- original: The original motto would have been chosen at the time of the grant and might well say something about the family.
Modifies a noun
theme: A strong, muscular tension dominated as the four-note motto theme passed between the sections.
Noun used with modifier
- Latin: The latin motto means ' better late than never ' .
- family: After that the Lord of Cardigan adopted his message to the King as a family motto.
- school: My high school motto was ' work hard play hard ' .
- club: Think of the clubs motto " Standard or modified, all are welcome at our friendly, helpful, inspiring website.
- company: What was the company motto again Mike " No income tax, no VAT, no money back, no guarantee!
- state: In New Hampshire car number plates bear the legend, Live Free or Die; a state motto is Don't Tread on Me.
Preposition: of
order: This was a play on the motto of the Order of the Bath, of which both Nelson and Sir William were members.
Preposition: for
life: No, see above What's your motto for life?
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