aphorism
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aphorism
- /ˈæfəɹɪz(ə)m/ UK
- /ˈæfəˌɹɪzəm/ US
Where it comes from
The noun is derived from Late Middle English amphorisme, from Middle French aphorisme, afforisme (modern French aphorisme), from Medieval Latin aphorismus, aforismus, from Ancient Greek ᾰ̓φορῐσμός (ăphorĭsmós, “limitation; distinction, separation; definition; aphorism”), from ἀφορίζω (aphorízō, “to mark off a boundary; to define, determine; to distinguish, separate; etc.”) + -μός (-mós, suffix forming abstract nouns). Ἀφορίζω (Aphorízō) is from ᾰ̓πο- (ăpo-, prefix meaning ‘away; from; off’) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂epó (“away; off”)) + ὁρίζω (horízō, “to delimit; to define; to determine; to divide, separate; etc.”) (from ὅρος (hóros, “boundary, limit; definition, term; etc.”) (possibly ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *werw- (“to draw; to mark out”)) + -ῐ́ζω (-ĭ́zō, “suffix forming similative verbs”)).
The verb is derived from the noun.
noun aphorisms
- A concise expression of a principle in an area of knowledge; an axiom, a precept. [K]novvledge, vvhile it is in Aphoriſmes and obſeruations, it is in grovveth [growth]; but vvhen it once is comprehended in exact Methodes; it may perchance be further polliſhed and illuſtrate, and accommodated for vſe and practiſe; but it encreaſeth no more in bulke and ſubſtance.
-
A concise or pithy, and memorable, expression of a general truth; a maxim, a saying.
Is not thy common talke ſound Aphoriſmes?
Similar: adage, apophthegm, apothegm, pearl of wisdom, byword, saying, saw, proverb, maxim, dictum, gnome, gnomic saying
- The essence or heart of something. VVe are novv to annexe the concluſion of the ſong, […] The partes are three. […] 3. A ſentence of acclamation, the aphoriſme and iuice of the vvhole ſonge, […]
verb aphorisms · aphorisming · aphorismed
- To speak or write one or more aphorisms (noun sense 2). Theſe paſſages diſcours'd and Aphoriſm'd at large in the Houſe; at the private Committee, divers fouler ſuſpitions and aggravations are treated vvith a greater freedom; vvhich being again vvith their ſeveral proofs reported before the vvhole Body, by the general doom he is pronounced guilty.
Translations
Every language
noun concise or pithy, and memorable, expression of a general truth — see also maxim, saying
| Español | aforismo |
|---|---|
| 한국어 | 격언 gyeogeon |
| 日本語 | 格言 kakugen |
| 中文 | 格言 géyán |
| हिन्दी | अनुभवोक्ति anubhvokti, मक़ूला maqūlā, मसल masal, नीतिवाक्य nītivākya, नीतिवचन nītivcan, सिद्धांतवाक्य siddhāntvākya |
| Português | aforismo |
| Français | aphorisme |
| Deutsch | Aphorismus |
| Italiano | aforisma |
| Ελληνικά | αφορισμός aforismós |
| Română | aforism |
| Русский | афори́зм aforízm |
| עברית | פִּתְגָּם pitgám |
Talk about this word "aphorism." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/aphorism. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026. aphorism. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/aphorism "aphorism." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/aphorism.Cite this
@misc{aphorism_2026,
title = {aphorism},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/aphorism},
urldate = {2026-11-06}
}
