- a variation of apothegm.
apophthegm
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of apophthegm
C16: from Greek apophthegma, from apophthengesthai to speak one's opinion frankly, from phthengesthai to speak
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The lump of earth, being taken somewhat by surprise, was not prepared with an apophthegm, and said nothing.
From Cobwebs from an Empty Skull by Bierce, Ambrose
In Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil there is an apophthegm to the effect that, "Insanity in individuals is something rare—but in groups, parties, nations, and epochs it is the rule."
From A Poor Man's House by Reynolds, Stephen Sydney
On literary réclame, he says much that is true—if not the whole truth, in the apophthegm for instance, 'You have to become famous before you can secure the attention which would give fame.'
From The House of Cobwebs and Other Stories by Gissing, George
That this apophthegm of Macintosh should have been quoted and requoted as it has, shows how profound has been the ignorance of social science.
From Essays: Scientific, Political, & Speculative, Vol. I by Spencer, Herbert
I was still pondering over this apophthegm, when Crofton aroused me by pushing across the table a great heap of gold.
From A Day's Ride A Life's Romance by Lever, Charles James
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
