MOTTO

motto, slogan, catchword, shibboleth

(noun) a favorite saying of a sect or political group

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

motto (plural mottos or mottoes)

(heraldry) A sentence, phrase, or word, forming part of an heraldic achievement.

A sentence, phrase, or word, prefixed to an essay, discourse, chapter, canto, or the like, suggestive of its subject matter; a short, suggestive expression of a guiding principle; a maxim.

(obsolete) A paper packet containing a sweetmeat, cracker, etc, together with a scrap of paper bearing a motto.

Synonyms

• See also saying

Source: Wiktionary

Mot"to, n.; pl. Mottoes. Etym: [It. motto a word, a saying, L. muttum a mutter, a grunt, cf. muttire, mutire, to mutter, mumble; prob. of imitative origin. Cf. Mot a word.]

1. (Her.)

Definition: A sentence, phrase, or word, forming part of an heraldic achievment.

2. A sentence, phrase, or word, prefixed to an essay, discourse, chapter, canto, or the like, suggestive of its subject matter; a short, suggestive expression of a guiding principle; a maxim. It was the motto of a bishop eminent for his piety and good works, ... "Serve God, and be cheerful." Addison.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition