iota

[ ahy-oh-tuh ]

noun

1. a very small quantity; jot; whit.

   Synonyms: mite, grain, atom, particle, bit

2. the ninth letter of the Greek alphabet (I, ι).
3. the vowel sound represented by this letter.

iota

/ aɪˈəʊtə /

noun

1. the ninth letter in the Greek alphabet (Ι, ι), a vowel or semivowel, transliterated as i or j
2. usually used with a negative a very small amount; jot (esp in the phrase not one or an iota )

Word History and Origins

Origin of iota¹

1600–10; < Latin iōta < Greek iôta < Semitic; compare Hebrew yōdh yod

Word History and Origins

Origin of iota¹

C16: via Latin from Greek, of Semitic origin; see jot

Idioms and Phrases

see not one iota .

Related Words

• ounce
• smidgen
• speck
• whit