aphorism Definition
apho·rism (af′ə riz′əm)
noun
- a short, concise statement of a principle
- a short, pointed sentence expressing a wise or clever observation or a general truth; maxim; adage
Etymology: < OFr & ML: OFr aufforisme < ML aphorismus < LGr aphorismos < Gr, a distinction, determination < aphorizein, to divide, mark off < apo-, from + horizein, to bound: see horizon
aphorism Synonyms
aphorism Usage Examples
Converse of object
- coin: For Lassalle, who coined the aphorism on science and the proletariat, science, like the state, stands above the class struggle.
- translate: After every translated aphorism, I briefly comment on the association it invoked in me.
- begin: He often begins an aphorism with a quoted passage.
- use: It literally revolves around and around, using aphorisms about war and cons as axes upon which the movie almost physically rotates.
- become: Soon afterward, their empire disintegrates, and over the passage of time Outer Mongolia becomes an aphorism for obscurity.
- prove: It proves the old aphorism that if something looks too good to be true then it probably is.
Adjective modifier
- pithy: His words have achieved the status of, at the very least, pithy aphorisms if not proverbs.
- famous: The force of this criterion is best expressed in Bishop Butler's famous aphorism, " Probability is the very guide of life.
- old: The old aphorism ' travel broadens the mind ' has been wholly forgotten.
- witty: Firstly, the entries are more like short to medium-sized essays, rather than witty aphorisms.
- marvelous: The Harpo Marx comment near the beginning comes from ' Marvelous Aphorisms ' and sums up the serious and ridiculous nature of the performance.
Noun used with modifier
choice: The second part is the ' Choice Aphorisms ' from the Seven Segments of Jerome Cardan.
Browse dictionary entries near aphorism
- ‹ aphonic
- ‹ aphonia
- ‹ aphis lion
- ‹ aphis
- ‹ aphid
- ‹ aphesis
- ‹ apheresis
- ‹ apheliotropism
- ‹ aphelion
- ‹ aphasia
- aphoristic ›
- aphorize ›
- aphotic ›
- aphrodisiac ›
- Aphrodite ›
- aphtha ›
- aphyllous ›
- API ›
- Apia ›
- apiaceous ›

