Main Entry:

mot·to

Pronunciation:

\ˈmä-(ˌ)tō\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural mottoes also mottos

Etymology:

Italian, from Late Latin muttum grunt, from Latin muttire to mutter

Date:

15th century

1 : a sentence, phrase, or word inscribed on something as appropriate to or indicative of its character or use 2 : a short expression of a guiding principle