apophthegm

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Alternative spellings 1.2 Etymology 1.3 Pronunciation 1.4 Noun 1.4.1 Translations 1.4.2 Synonyms

[edit] English

[edit] Alternative spellings

• apothegm (US)

[edit] Etymology

First attested 1553, from Ancient Greek ἀπόφθεγμα (apophthegma) from ἀποφθέγγομαι (apophthengomai), “‘I plainly speak my mind’”) from ἀπό (apo), “‘from’”) + φθέγγομαι (phthengomai), “‘I speak loudly’”).

[edit] Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /ˈapəθɪm/

[edit] Noun

apophthegm (plural apophthegms)

1. A short, witty, instructive saying; an aphorism or maxim.
   • 1665, Richard Head, The English Rogue: Deſcribed, in the Life of Merington Latroon, A Witty Extravagant, Being a Compleat Hiſtory of the Moſt Eminent Cheats of Both Sexes, Henry Marsh, page 355,

     Every glaſs of wine, or bit almoſt, that I committed to my mouth, ſhe uſhered thither with ſome Apothegm or other: the whole ſeries, indeed, of her diſcourſe, was compoſed of nothing but reaſon or wit, which made me admire her; which ſhe eaſily underſtood, I perceived by her ſmiles, when ſhe obſerved me gaping, as it were, when ſhe ſpoke, as if I would have eaten up her Words.

   • 2008, Dave Duncan, The Alchemist’s Apprentice, Ace Books, ISBN 978-0-441-01575-7, page 114,

     Which means roughly that business keeps one safe from love—ominous talk when one’s lover is a courtesan. I hoped that it was just another literary conceit I ought to know. (It is, I later learned, an apothegm by Ovid.)

[edit] Translations

[edit] Synonyms

• See WikiSaurus:saying.