motte

Definition

A raised earth mound, often topped with a wooden or stone structure and surrounded with a ditch.

Etymology

From French motte, from Anglo-Norman/Old French motte (“mound, hillock”). Doublet of moat.

Example Sentences

• "The motte was a mound made of earth and surrounded by a ditch."
• "Coordinate term: bailey"
• ""Birds are dinosaurs" is the bailey; "birds are more similar to dinosaurs than anything else" is the motte."

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