apophthegm
Americannoun
noun
Other Word 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 talk went on to patriotism, and Johnson laid down an apophthegm, at "which many will start," many people, in fact, having little sense of humour.
From Samuel Johnson by Stephen, Leslie, Sir
That famous apophthegm leads us nearer to the saving truth.
From Nature Mysticism by Mercer, John Edward
Another perfect thing from this diverting piece, followed also by Homeric cachinnations, was the mock-serious apophthegm: "If a cloud is going to support a lady of substantial proportions, you must make it fairly solid."
From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 152, May 23, 1917 by Various
Apophthegmat′ic, -al, pertaining to the nature of an apophthegm, pithy, sententious.—adv.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various
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.
