[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/moat/)

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# moat

noun (a moat, moats)

«moat» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

A moat is a deep, wide ditch dug around a castle or town, usually filled with water, to keep enemies out. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/moat/#m1)

### In the lessons

In history lessons, moats protected medieval castles together with a drawbridge and walls. Zoos sometimes use moats to keep animals in. In business talk, a "moat" is an advantage that protects a company from rivals.

### Examples

- The castle was surrounded by a moat. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/moat/#x1)
- The knights lowered the drawbridge over the moat. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/moat/#x2)
- Enemies could not cross the deep moat. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/moat/#x3)
- Ducks swim in the old moat now. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/moat/#x4)
- We drew a castle with a moat around it. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/moat/#x5)
- The lions' enclosure has a moat instead of a fence. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/moat/#x6)
- Its doors are of iron, and round it runs a deep moat, spanned by no bridge. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/moat/#x7)

### Note

Countable. Homophone: "mote" (a tiny speck of dust) sounds the same. Do not confuse with "boat".

## In Jewish tradition

A moat is a ditch around a city wall. The dogs eating Jezebel there shows the prophecy against her coming true.

**Interpretation.** Elijah's word about Jezebel is read as proof that the prophet's warnings come true. It is a lesson about the punishment of Ahab's house.

### Examples

- And of Jezebel also spoke the LORD, saying: The dogs shall eat Jezebel in the moat of Jezreel. (Prophets 1KI.21.23, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/moat/#x1)
- And they came and besieged him in Abel of Beth-maacah, and they cast up a mound against the city, and it stood in the moat; and all the people that were with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down. (Prophets 2SA.20.15, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/moat/#x2)

### Note

Countable. Homophone: "mote" (a tiny speck of dust) sounds the same. Do not confuse with "boat".

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «moat» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/moat/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«moat» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/moat.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «moat» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/moat/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«moat» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/moat.html) on Mova free.