What does "jot" mean?

1. (write briefly) to write something quickly or briefly, often as a short note. You use this when you want to remember information for later. 2. (a tiny amount) a very small amount of something. You use this in expressions like 'not a jot' to say that something does not matter at all.

jot

US //ˈdʒɑt// UK //dʒˈɒt// jot

1 write briefly (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to write something quickly or briefly, often as a short note. You use this when you want to remember information for later.

to write something briefly or hastily, typically as a quick note. Most commonly used with the particle 'down' ('jot down a number', 'jot down a reminder').

Example

Jot down the address before you forget it.

Example

She paused mid-meeting to jot a few ideas in her notebook before the discussion moved on.
2 a tiny amount (n.)
C1 Advanced

a very small amount of something. You use this in expressions like 'not a jot' to say that something does not matter at all.

a very small amount; an iota. Used almost exclusively in negative constructions ('not a jot', 'not one jot') to emphasize zero impact or triviality. Originally from the Greek letter iota, the smallest in the Greek alphabet.

Example

I don't care a jot.

Example

The negative reviews did not change his opinion one jot, and he remained confident in his original plan.

Etymology 1

The noun is borrowed from Latin iōta (“the letter iota of the Ancient Greek alphabet”), from Ancient Greek ἰῶτα (iôta, “ninth letter of the Ancient Greek alphabet; (figurative) very small part of writing, jot”), from Phoenician 𐤉 (y‬, “tenth letter of the Phoenician abjad, yodh”). Doublet of iota and yodh. Etymology 1 sense 3 (“brief and hurriedly written note”) is derived from the verb. The verb is probably borrowed from Scots jot, from English jot (noun): see above.

Etymology 2

The verb is possibly onomatopoeic, suggesting a jerking motion. The noun is derived from the verb.

Idioms2 entries