/mot"oh/ , n. , pl. mottoes, mottos .
1. a maxim adopted as an expression of the guiding principle of a person, organization, city, etc.
2. a sentence, phrase, or word expressing the spirit or purpose of a person, organization, city, etc., and often inscribed on a badge, banner, etc.
[ 1580-90; muttum sound, utterance. See MOT ]