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