jot

[jot] verb, jot·ted, jot·ting, noun
verb (used with object)
1.
to write or mark down quickly or briefly (usually followed by down ): Jot down his license number.
noun
2.
the least part of something; a little bit: I don't care a jot.
3.
not a jot or tittle, not a bit; not at all: The world situation matters not a jot or tittle to him.

Origin:
1520–30; earlier iot, iote < Latin iōta < Greek iôta iota

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
jot (dʒɒt) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
vb (usually foll by down) , jots, jotting, jotted
1.  to write a brief note of
 
n
2.  (used with a negative) a little bit (in phrases such as not to care (orgive) a jot)
 
[C16: from Latin jota, from Greek iōta, of Semitic origin; see iota]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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00:10
Jot is one of our favorite verbs.
So is lollygag. Does it mean:
to spend time idly; loaf.
to bark; yelp.
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

jot
1526, borrowing of L. jota, variant spelling of Gk. iota "the letter -i-, the smallest letter in the alphabet, hence the least part of anything. The verb "to make a short note of" is attested from 1721.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Easton
Bible Dictionary

Jot definition


or Iota, the smallest letter of the Greek alphabet, used metaphorically or proverbially for the smallest thing (Matt. 5:18); or it may be = yod, which is the smallest of the Hebrew letters.

Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
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Example sentences
He hasn't done a jot of campaigning in the past year and his presidential prospects have risen dramatically.
Surprise: the criterion was met a few days ago, but the cartel has yet to increase output one jot.
Suggestion: when you're being asked a question, jot the essentials down.
Compare yours to the original and jot down a list of the differences.
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