aphorism
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English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From Middle French aphorisme, from Late Latin aphorismus, from Ancient Greek ἀφορισμός (aphorismós, “pithy phrase containing a general truth”), from ἀφορίζω (aphorízō, “I define, mark off or determine”), from ἀπό (apó, “off”) + ὁρίζω (horízō, “I divide, bound”), from ὅρος (hóros, “boundary”).
Pronunciation[edit]
Noun[edit]
aphorism (plural aphorisms)
- A concise, terse, laconic, or memorable expression of a general truth or principle.
- Synonyms: see Thesaurus:saying
Related terms[edit]
Translations[edit]
short phrase conveying some principle or concept of thought
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See also[edit]
Verb[edit]
aphorism (third-person singular simple present aphorisms, present participle aphorisming, simple past and past participle aphorismed)
- To speak or write aphorisms.
- 1971, Arthur Schnitzler, My Youth in Vienna, page 95:
- But after each of us had inscribed his share (once I robbed my Aegidius for the purpose), our literary union was over; each of us tore his contribution out of the book and “aphorismed” on his own from then on.
- 1978, Vikram Kapur, The Traumatic Bite, page 32:
- He was thoughtful: “Preferences define superiority,” he aphorismed. “As long as preferences are not made godly edicts."
- 2003, Arthur Herzog, Glad to Be Here, page 146:
- “I don't know what more to do,” she confessed. “I've aphorismed my heart out and relationships have not improved one whit, it seems."
Further reading[edit]
- “aphorism”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
- “aphorism”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.
- aphorism at OneLook Dictionary Search