gnomic

¹

[ noh-mik, nom-ik ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling a gnome.

gnomic

²

[ noh-mik, nom-ik ]

adjective

1. like or containing gnomes gnome or aphorisms.
2. of, relating to, or noting a writer of aphorisms, especially any of certain Greek poets.

gnomic

/ ˈnəʊmɪk; ˈnɒm- /

adjective

1. consisting of, containing, or relating to gnomes or aphorisms
2. of or relating to a writer of such sayings

Derived Forms

• ˈgnomically, adverb

Other Words From

• gnomi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of gnomic¹

First recorded in 1805–15; gnome ¹ + -ic

Origin of gnomic²

From the Greek word gnōmikós, dating back to 1805–15. See gnome ², -ic

Example Sentences

He would have looked very well as a priest: the shabby, gnomic variety one sees in small Italian towns.

From The Daily Beast

Dyer uses this kind of gnomic, prophetic, baffling language all the time, and it can be trying and vague.

From The Daily Beast

That dragons dwelt in mounds was a common Germanic belief, to which the Cottonian Gnomic verses testify.

From Project Gutenberg

Reference should have been given to the Exeter Gnomic Verses, 89 ff.

From Project Gutenberg

The moralizing of Bacchylides is rather an utterance of quiet meditation, sometimes recalling the strain of Ionian gnomic elegy.

From Project Gutenberg

Another element, always present in the longer odes of victory, is that which may be called the "gnomic."

From Project Gutenberg

The gnomic verses of Theognis were certainly sung; so were the satires of Archilochus and the romantic reveries of Mimnermus.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• brusque
• concise
• cryptic
• curt
• elliptical
• incisive
• laconic
• pithy
• precise
• succinct
• trenchant