jot

jot and tittle

The smallest detail(s). "Jot," derived from the word for the Greek letter "iota," is a small amount, while a "tittle" is the dot over a lowercase i. Make sure every jot and tittle in the contract is perfect. We can't lose money over some typo or technicality.

See also: and, jot, tittle

not a jot

Not even a tiny or the smallest amount (of something). I worked all of that overtime and didn't get a jot of extra cash for my efforts. Look at him—there's not a jot of shame in his eyes for what he's done. A: "Did you get any help on your assignment from the study group?" B: "Not a jot. They were all too busy gossiping."

See also: jot, not

jot something down

to make a note of something. This is important. Please jot this down. Jot down this note, please.

See also: down, jot

not one/a ˈjot (or ˈtittle)

(informal) not even the smallest amount: There’s not a jot of truth in the story. ♢ It seems that his divorce has not affected him one jot. ♢ She doesn’t seem to care a jot what I do.

See also: jot, not, one

jot down

v.

To write down something briefly or hastily: The secretary jotted the message down. I jotted down the homework assignment.

See also: down, jot

jot or tittle

The slightest change. In the King James version of Matthew 5:18 we read, “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” A “jot” was an iota, a very small quantity (we still use the expression “not one iota of truth”); a tittle was a tiny accent mark. Accordingly, to have said “not one jot or tittle” was a very erudite way of refusing to make even the most minor alteration.

See also: jot, tittle