iota
/ʌɪˈəʊtə
/noun
1The ninth letter of the Greek alphabet (Ι, ι), transliterated as ‘i’.
1.1 (Iota) [followed by Latin genitive] Astronomy The ninth star in a constellation: Iota Piscium
2 [in singular, usually with negative] An extremely small amount: nothing she said seemed to make an iota of difference...
- I don't believe home advantage makes an iota of difference anymore in Gaelic football.
- I say this next bit without an iota of hyperbole.
- Much to her credit, no amount of upbraiding or name-calling has moved her an iota.
Synonyms
bit, mite, speck, scrap, shred, ounce, scintilla, atom, jot, tittle, jot or tittle, whit, little bit, tiniest bit, particle, fraction, morsel, grain;
French soupçon
informal smidgen, smidge, tad
archaic scruple, scantling
Origin
From Greek iōta. sense 2 arose because iota is the smallest letter of the Greek alphabet: compare with jot.