Aphorism

Aphorism
Aphorism Aph"o*rism, n. [F. aphorisme, fr. Gr. ? definition, a short, pithy sentence, fr. ? to mark off by boundaries, to define; ? from + ? to separate, part. See {Horizon}.] A comprehensive maxim or principle expressed in a few words; a sharply defined sentence relating to abstract truth rather than to practical matters. [1913 Webster]

The first aphorism of Hippocrates is, ``Life is short, and the art is long.'' --Fleming. [1913 Webster]

Syn: Axiom; maxim; adage; proverb; apothegm; saying; saw; truism; dictum. See {Axiom}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • aphorism — (n.) 1520s (especially in reference to the Aphorisms of Hippocrates ), from M.Fr. aphorisme (14c., aufforisme), from L.L. aphorismus, from Gk. aphorismos definition, pithy sentence, from aphorizein to mark off, divide, from apo from (see APO (Cf …   Etymology dictionary

  • aphorism — index maxim, phrase Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • aphorism — apothegm, epigram, *saying, saw, maxim, adage, proverb, motto …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • aphorism — [n] saying expressing a belief, often true adage, apothegm, axiom, dictum, maxim, moral, precept, proverb, rule, saw, saying, truism; concepts 275,278,689 …   New thesaurus

  • aphorism — ► NOUN ▪ a concise witty remark which contains a general truth. DERIVATIVES aphoristic adjective. ORIGIN Greek aphorismos definition …   English terms dictionary

  • aphorism — [af′ə riz΄əm] n. [< OFr & ML: OFr aufforisme < ML aphorismus < LGr aphorismos < Gr, a distinction, determination < aphorizein, to divide, mark off < apo , from + horizein, to bound: see HORIZON] 1. a short, concise statement of… …   English World dictionary

  • Aphorism — Not to be confused with aphorismus. Aphorisms redirects here. For the Red Sparowes album, see Aphorisms (album). An aphorism (literally distinction or definition , from Greek ἀφορισμός (aphorismós), from ἀπό (apo) and ὁρίζειν (horizein), meaning… …   Wikipedia

  • aphorism — UK [ˈæfəˌrɪz(ə)m] / US [ˈæfəˌrɪzəm] noun [countable] Word forms aphorism : singular aphorism plural aphorisms a short statement that says something wise and true …   English dictionary

  • aphorism — noun Etymology: Middle French aphorisme, from Late Latin aphorismus, from Greek aphorismos definition, aphorism, from aphorizein to define, from apo + horizein to bound more at horizon Date: 1528 1. a concise statement of a principle …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • aphorism — aphorismic, aphorismatic /af euh riz mat ik/, adj. /af euh riz euhm/, n. a terse saying embodying a general truth, or astute observation, as Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely (Lord Acton). [1520 30; F aphorisme < LL… …   Universalium

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