mot

noun

ˈmō 

plural mots ˈmō(z) 

: a pithy or witty saying

… was giving pictures of her manners and quoting specimens of her mots.

—Henry James

Word History

Etymology

French, word, saying, from Old French, from Late Latin muttum grunt — more at motto

First Known Use

1813, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing mot

• bon mot
• mot juste