aphorism

[af-uh-riz-uh m]

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noun

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

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

Related formsaph·o·ris·mic, aph·o·ris·mat·ic

[af-uh-riz-mat-ik] /ˌæf ə rɪzˈmæt ɪk/, adjective

Can be confusedadage aphorism apothegm axiom maxim proverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for aphorism

proverb, adage, dictum, axiom, maxim, saying, truism, apothegm, rule, precept, moral, saw

Examples from the Web for aphorism

Contemporary Examples of aphorism

He left the crowd with a Greek aphorism—“to tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life of this world.”
Love Versus the ‘Liberal Gulag’
James Poulos
April 8, 2014
Thus my aphorism of the week: trying to contain damage only does more damage.
How to Stop a Scandal
Michael Tomasky
May 16, 2013
He utters the aphorism in immaculate French, and judging from an overheard phone call, his Italian is almost as good.
NY Museum Stages First ‘Scent’ Exhibit
Blake Gopnik
November 2, 2012
That aphorism by NYU professor Clay Shirky overstates the case, but only a little.
Why My Next E-Book Will Be About Iraq
David Frum
May 19, 2012
The secret of literary prophecy lies deep inside that aphorism.
The Kaffeehaus Canon
George Prochnik
December 31, 2010

Historical Examples of aphorism

This aphorism seemed to merit a new cigar on Crane's part, so he lighted one.
Thoroughbreds
W. A. Fraser
When you have thoroughly digested this aphorism, you are fit to start in the world.
Lord Kilgobbin
Charles Lever
Pleasurably, for a moment, he considered the altruism of that aphorism.
The Paliser case
Edgar Saltus
His aphorism was, "Gentlemen, the secret of surgery is the nailbrush."
A Labrador Doctor
Wilfred Thomason Grenfell
His uncle uttered an aphorism: "The throne is a board covered with velvet."
Napoleon the Little
Victor Hugo

British Dictionary definitions for aphorism

aphorism

noun

a short pithy saying expressing a general truth; maxim

Derived Formsaphorist, noun

Word Origin for aphorism

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

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

Word Origin and History for aphorism

1520s (especially in reference to the "Aphorisms of Hippocrates"), from Middle French aphorisme (14c., aufforisme), from Late Latin aphorismus, from Greek aphorismos "definition, pithy sentence," from aphorizein "to mark off, divide," from apo- "from" (see apo-) + horizein "to bound" (see horizon).

An aphorism is a short, pithy statement containing a truth of general import; an axiom is a statement of self-evident truth; a theorem is a demonstrable proposition in science or mathematics; an epigram is like an aphorism, but lacking in general import. Maxim and saying can be used as synonyms for aphorism.

aphorism in Culture

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.”