Definition

1. Noun:

   • A very small amount; a tiny bit: An extremely small or insignificant quantity of something.
   • A brief, hastily written note: A short piece of writing, often written quickly to aid memory.

2. Verb:

   • To write something quickly or briefly: To make a short, hurried written record of something.

Usage and Examples

• Noun (small amount):
  • There isn't a jot of truth in that rumor.
  • He didn't show a jot of interest in the proposal.
• Noun (brief note):
  • I made a quick jot in my notebook to remember the address.
• Verb:
  • She jotted the phone number on a scrap of paper.
  • Let me jot down a few ideas before I forget them.

Advanced Usage and Idioms

• "not one jot or tittle": Not even the smallest amount; not at all. (A formal or literary idiom, often used for emphasis, where "tittle" means a tiny stroke in writing).
  • The new evidence did not change his opinion one jot or tittle.
• "jot down": To write something down quickly or informally. (This is the most common phrasal verb usage).
  • I need to jot down your email address.

Variants and Related Words

• Jotting (noun): The act of writing something down quickly, or a brief note itself.
  • His notebook was full of hurried jottings.
• Jotter (noun): A small notebook or pad for writing notes.
  • She pulled a jotter from her bag to take notes.

Synonyms

• Noun (amount): Bit, speck, iota, whit, scrap, trace.
• Noun (note): Note, memo, notation.
• Verb: Scribble, note (down), dash off, write down.

Antonyms

• Noun (amount): Lot, abundance, heap, mass.
• Verb: Elaborate, expound, detail.

Noun

1. a slight but appreciable amount
   • this dish could use a touch of garlic
2. a brief (and hurriedly handwritten) note

Verb

1. write briefly or hurriedly; write a short note of