(Gr. karphos, something dry, hence a particle of wood or chaff, etc.). A slight moral defect is likened to a mote (Matthew 7:3-5; Luke 6:41, 42).

Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language

1. (n.) A small particle of dust; a speck; as a mote in one's eye.

2. (p. p.) of Mot.

3. (pres. subj.) of Mot.

4. (v.) See 1st Mot.

5. (n.) A meeting of persons for discussion; as, a wardmote in the city of London.

6. (n.) A body of persons who meet for discussion, esp. about the management of affairs; as, a folkmote.

7. (n.) A place of meeting for discussion.

8. (n.) The flourish sounded on a horn by a huntsman. See Mot, n., 3, and Mort.

9. (n.) A small particle, as of floating dust; anything proverbially small; a speck.