Mote

/moʊt/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A tiny piece of substance; a speck.

She noticed a mote of dust floating in the sunlight.

A particle or small bit of something.

He found a mote of hope in the darkest of situations.

In a broader sense, it can refer to any small or insignificant thing.

To him, her complaints seemed like mere motes in the grand scheme of life.

Middle English, from Old English 'mot' meaning a speck or tiny particle.

mote in one's eye

A small fault or flaw in someone else that is criticized while ignoring larger faults in oneself.

dust

Tiny particles that accumulate in the air or on surfaces.

particle

A small localized object that can be ascribed physical or chemical properties.

speck

A small mark or spot, especially one that differs in color from its surroundings.