aphorism

aphorism
aphorism (n.) 1520s (especially in reference to the "Aphorisms of Hippocrates"), from M.Fr. aphorisme (14c., aufforisme), from L.L. aphorismus, from Gk. aphorismos "definition, pithy sentence," from aphorizein "to mark off, divide," from apo- "from" (see APO- (Cf. apo-)) + horizein "to bound."
An aphorism is a short, pithy statement containing a truth of general import; an AXIOM (Cf. axiom) is a statement of self-evident truth; a THEOREM (Cf. theorem) is a demonstrable proposition in science or mathematics; an EPIGRAM (Cf. epigram) is like an aphorism, but lacking in general import. MAXIM (Cf. Maxim) and SAYING (Cf. saying) can be used as synonyms for aphorism.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Aphorism — Aph o*rism, n. [F. aphorisme, fr. Gr. ? definition, a short, pithy sentence, fr. ? to mark off by boundaries, to define; ? from + ? to separate, part. See {Horizon}.] A comprehensive maxim or principle expressed in a few words; a sharply defined… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • aphorism — index maxim, phrase Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • aphorism — apothegm, epigram, *saying, saw, maxim, adage, proverb, motto …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • aphorism — [n] saying expressing a belief, often true adage, apothegm, axiom, dictum, maxim, moral, precept, proverb, rule, saw, saying, truism; concepts 275,278,689 …   New thesaurus

  • aphorism — ► NOUN ▪ a concise witty remark which contains a general truth. DERIVATIVES aphoristic adjective. ORIGIN Greek aphorismos definition …   English terms dictionary

  • aphorism — [af′ə riz΄əm] n. [< OFr & ML: OFr aufforisme < ML aphorismus < LGr aphorismos < Gr, a distinction, determination < aphorizein, to divide, mark off < apo , from + horizein, to bound: see HORIZON] 1. a short, concise statement of… …   English World dictionary

  • Aphorism — Not to be confused with aphorismus. Aphorisms redirects here. For the Red Sparowes album, see Aphorisms (album). An aphorism (literally distinction or definition , from Greek ἀφορισμός (aphorismós), from ἀπό (apo) and ὁρίζειν (horizein), meaning… …   Wikipedia

  • aphorism — UK [ˈæfəˌrɪz(ə)m] / US [ˈæfəˌrɪzəm] noun [countable] Word forms aphorism : singular aphorism plural aphorisms a short statement that says something wise and true …   English dictionary

  • aphorism — noun Etymology: Middle French aphorisme, from Late Latin aphorismus, from Greek aphorismos definition, aphorism, from aphorizein to define, from apo + horizein to bound more at horizon Date: 1528 1. a concise statement of a principle …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • aphorism — aphorismic, aphorismatic /af euh riz mat ik/, adj. /af euh riz euhm/, n. a terse saying embodying a general truth, or astute observation, as Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely (Lord Acton). [1520 30; F aphorisme < LL… …   Universalium

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