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/mˈɑtoʊ/ Listen

noun

Motto n. (pl. mottoes)

(Her.) 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. "It was the motto of a bishop eminent for his piety and good works,... "Serve God, and be cheerful.""

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Etymology of 'Motto'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Motto" Quotes from Famous Books

... the Scriptures. He was called, and he is still known by the name, "Apostle to the Indians." The word at the head of the page shows what labors he entered into. All this was made possible through putting into practice his own motto, "Prayer and pains, through faith in Christ, will ...

— The Children's Six Minutes • Bruce S. Wright

... I came to the branching of the roads I saw a cross put up, and at its base the motto that ...

— The Path to Rome • Hilaire Belloc

... handled so that the reading should be pleasant. Mr Booker's 'Literary Chronicle' did not presume to entertain any special political opinions. The 'Breakfast Table' was decidedly Liberal. The 'Evening Pulpit' was much given to politics, but held strictly to the motto which ...

— The Way We Live Now • Anthony Trollope

... story. About the beginning of the seventeenth century, one of the boldest knights upon the Borders was William Scott, the young laird of Harden. His favourite residence was Oakwood Tower, a place of great strength, situated on the banks of the Ettrick. The motto of his family was "Reparabit cornua Phoebe," which being interpreted by his countrymen, in their vernacular idiom, ran thus—"We'll hae moonlight again." Now, the young laird was one who considered it his chief honour to give effect to both the ...

— Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Volume 2 - Historical, Traditional, and Imaginative • Alexander Leighton

... men have at their command, to be able to dress their slaves in gold and silver brocade; and the runners, who kept up with the swiftest horses, must have lungs of iron! The praetorians, who had not for many a day seen anything to cause them to forget the motto of the greatest philosopher among their poets—never to be astonished at anything—repeatedly pushed each other with surprise and admiration; nay, the centurion Julius Martialis, who had just now had a visit in camp from his wife and children, in defiance ...

— Uarda • Georg Ebers

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