Mōt, n.

n. [Fr. & Pr. mot, Sp. & Pg. mote, It. motto, L. Lat. muttum, a mutter, a grunt, from Lat. muttire, mutire, to mutter.]

1. A word; hence, a motto. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
2. (Pron. mò.) A pithy or witty saying; a witticism. [A Gallicism.]

Here and there turns up a . . . savage mot. North Brit. Rev. 3. A note or brief strain on a bugle. W. Scott.