mote
    n 1: (nontechnical usage) a tiny piece of anything [syn: atom,
         molecule, particle, corpuscle, mote, speck]

Mote \Mote\, n.
   The flourish sounded on a horn by a huntsman. See Mot, n.,
   3, and Mort. --Chaucer.
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Mote \Mote\, n. [OE. mot, AS. mot.]
   A small particle, as of floating dust; anything proverbially
   small; a speck.
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         The little motes in the sun do ever stir, though there
         be no wind.                              --Bacon.
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         We are motes in the midst of generations. --Landor.
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Mote \Mote\, v.
   See 1st Mot. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
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Mote \Mote\, n. [See Moot, a meeting.] [Obs., except in a few
   combinations or phrases.]
   1. A meeting of persons for discussion; as, a wardmote in the
      city of London.
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   2. A body of persons who meet for discussion, esp. about the
      management of affairs; as, a folkmote.
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   3. A place of meeting for discussion.
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   Mote bell, the bell rung to summon to a mote. [Obs.]
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Mot \Mot\ (m[=o]t), v. [Sing. pres. ind. Mot, Mote, Moot
   (m[=o]t), pl. Mot, Mote, Moote, pres. subj. Mote;
   imp. Moste.] [See Must, v.] [Obs.]
   May; must; might.
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         He moot as well say one word as another  --Chaucer.
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         The wordes mote be cousin to the deed.   --Chaucer.
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         Men moot [i.e., one only] give silver to the poore
         freres.                                  --Chaucer.
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   So mote it be, so be it; amen; -- a phrase in some rituals,
      as that of the Freemasons.
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Moot \Moot\, n. [AS. m[=o]t, gem[=o]t, a meeting; -- usually in
   comp.] [Written also mote.]
   1. A meeting for discussion and deliberation; esp., a meeting
      of the people of a village or district, in Anglo-Saxon
      times, for the discussion and settlement of matters of
      common interest; -- usually in composition; as, folk-moot.
      --J. R. Green.
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   2. [From Moot, v.] A discussion or debate; especially, a
      discussion of fictitious causes by way of practice.
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            The pleading used in courts and chancery called
            moots.                                --Sir T.
                                                  Elyot.
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   Moot case, a case or question to be mooted; a disputable
      case; an unsettled question. --Dryden.

   Moot court, a mock court, such as is held by students of
      law for practicing the conduct of law cases.

   Moot point, a point or question to be debated; a doubtful
      question.

   to make moot v. t. to render moot[2]; to moot[3].
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Mote
   (Gr. karphos, something dry, hence a particle of wood or chaff,
   etc.). A slight moral defect is likened to a mote (Matt. 7:3-5;
   Luke 6:41, 42).