aphorism

[ af-uh-riz-uhm ]
See synonyms for: aphorismaphorisms on Thesaurus.com

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

Origin of aphorism

1
1520–30; French aphorisme<Late Latin aphorismus<Greek aphorismós definition, equivalent to aphor(ízein) to define (see aphorize) + -ismos-ism

Other words from aphorism

  • aph·o·ris·mic, aph·o·ris·mat·ic [af-uh-riz-mat-ik], /ˌæf ə rɪzˈmæt ɪk/, adjective

Words that may be confused with aphorism

Words Nearby aphorism

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How to use aphorism in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for aphorism

aphorism

/ (ˈæfəˌrɪzəm) /


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

Origin of aphorism

1
C16: from Late Latin aphorismus, from Greek aphorismos definition, from aphorizein to define, set limits to, from horos boundary

Derived forms of aphorism

  • aphorist, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Cultural definitions for aphorism

aphorism

[ (af-uh-riz-uhm) ]


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.”

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.