aphorism

From Middle French aphorisme, from Late Latin aphorismus, from Ancient Greek ἀφορισμός (aphorismós, “pithy phrase containing a general truth”), from ἀφορίζω (aphorízō, “I define, mark off or determine”), from ἀπό (apó, “off”) + ὁρίζω (horízō, “I divide, bound”), from ὅρος (hóros, “boundary”).

• IPA^(key): /ˈæ.fə.ɹɪzm̩/

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aphorism (plural aphorisms)

1. A concise, terse, laconic, or memorable expression of a general truth or principle.

   Synonyms: see Thesaurus:saying

aphorism (third-person singular simple present aphorisms, present participle aphorisming, simple past and past participle aphorismed)

1. To speak or write aphorisms.
   • 1971, Arthur Schnitzler, My Youth in Vienna, page 95:

     But after each of us had inscribed his share (once I robbed my Aegidius for the purpose), our literary union was over; each of us tore his contribution out of the book and “aphorismed” on his own from then on.

   • 1978, Vikram Kapur, The Traumatic Bite, page 32:

     He was thoughtful: “Preferences define superiority,” he aphorismed. “As long as preferences are not made godly edicts."

   • 2003, Arthur Herzog, Glad to Be Here, page 146:

     “I don't know what more to do,” she confessed. “I've aphorismed my heart out and relationships have not improved one whit, it seems."

• aphorism in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• aphorism in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911
• aphorism at OneLook Dictionary Search