motto

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mot·to / ˈmätō/ • n. (pl. -toes or -tos) a short sentence or phrase chosen as encapsulating the beliefs or ideals guiding an individual, family, or institution: the school motto, “Serve and obey” he soon adopted the motto “work hard and play hard.” ∎  Mus. a phrase that recurs throughout a musical work and has some symbolic significance.

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