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Mote: meaning, definitions and examples

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mote

 

[ moʊt ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

small particle

A mote is a tiny particle or speck, often used to refer to dust or a small piece of matter floating in the air. In a broader context, it can refer to any small, insignificant thing.

Synonyms

bit, grain, particle, speck

Examples of usage

  • I saw a mote of dust dance in the sunlight.
  • The sunlight highlighted the motes in the air as we stood still.
  • She wiped away the motes from the surface of the table.

Translations

Translations of the word "mote" in other languages:

🇵🇹 partícula

🇮🇳 कण

🇩🇪 Partikel

🇮🇩 partikel

🇺🇦 частка

🇵🇱 cząstka

🇯🇵 粒子

🇫🇷 particule

🇪🇸 partícula

🇹🇷 parçacık

🇰🇷 입자

🇸🇦 جزء

🇨🇿 částice

🇸🇰 častica

🇨🇳 粒子

🇸🇮 delček

🇮🇸 ögn

🇰🇿 бөлек

🇬🇪 ნაწილი

🇦🇿 hissə

🇲🇽 partícula

Etymology

The word 'mote' comes from the Old English word 'mot,' which means a small particle or speck. Its usage can be traced back to the 12th century. The term has its roots in Germanic languages, where similar terms have the same meaning, such as 'mott' in Middle Dutch. The notion of a mote has been often used in literature and poetry to convey themes of insignificance and the minutiae of life, emphasizing how even the smallest details can be significant. Over centuries, 'mote' has persisted in both everyday language and poetic contexts, often evoking imagery of light, dust, and the ephemeral nature of existence.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,030, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.