aphorism

[ af-uh-riz-uhm ]

noun

1. a terse saying embodying a general truth, or astute observation, as “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely” (Lord Acton).

aphorism

/ ˈæfəˌrɪzəm /

noun

1. a short pithy saying expressing a general truth; maxim

aphorism

1. A concise and often witty statement of wisdom or opinion, such as “Children should be seen and not heard,” or “People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.”

Derived Forms

• ˈaphorist, noun

Other Words From

• apho·rismic aph·o·ris·mat·ic [af-, uh, -riz-, mat, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of aphorism¹

1520–30; French aphorisme < Late Latin aphorismus < Greek aphorismós definition, equivalent to aphor ( ízein ) to define ( aphorize ) + -ismos -ism

Word History and Origins

Origin of aphorism¹

C16: from Late Latin aphorismus, from Greek aphorismos definition, from aphorizein to define, set limits to, from horos boundary

Example Sentences

We must disabuse ourselves of this perhaps half-ironic but still telling aphorism.

From The Daily Beast

He left the crowd with a Greek aphorism—“to tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of this world.”

From The Daily Beast

Thus my aphorism of the week: trying to contain damage only does more damage.

From The Daily Beast

He defines Dynamic Inaction with one pithy aphorism: “When in doubt, mumble; when in trouble, delegate; when in charge, ponder.”

From The Daily Beast

He utters the aphorism in immaculate French, and judging from an overheard phone call, his Italian is almost as good.

From The Daily Beast

The well-worn aphorism of the Frenchman, “History repeats itself,” was about to assert itself.

From Project Gutenberg

Part of the first aphorism of Hippocrates is—Ὁ βίος βραχύς, ἡ δὲ τέχνη μακρή.

From Project Gutenberg

"Hit's the pore house fer a cow hand," was his terse aphorism on the subject, and Landy had never seen a "fitten" poor house.

From Project Gutenberg

Paragraphs sometimes close with a shorter statement of the proposition, a sort of aphorism or epigram.

From Project Gutenberg

For each or either of these extra-scriptural Articles of Faith the preceding Aphorism supplies a safe criterion.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• adage
• axiom
• dictum
• maxim
• proverb