aphorism |ˈafəˌrizəm| noun a pithy observation that contains a general truth, such as, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” See note at saying . • a concise statement of a scientific principle, typically by an ancient classical author. DERIVATIVES aphorist noun aphoristic |ˌafəˈristik| adjective aphoristically |ˌafəˈristik(ə)lē| adverb aphorize |-ˌrīz| verb
ORIGIN early 16th cent.: from French aphorisme or late Latin aphorismus, from Greek aphorismos ‘definition,’ from aphorizein ‘define.’
Thesaurus
aphorism noun she was a fount of Orwellian aphorisms saying, maxim, axiom, adage, epigram, dictum, gnome, proverb, saw, tag; rare apophthegm. See note at saying .
