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): /ˈæf.ə.ɹɪ.zəm/, [ˈæf.ə.ɹɪ.zm̩]

• Audio (Southern England)

  (file)

aphorism (plural aphorisms)

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

   Synonyms: see Thesaurus:saying

   • 2024 March 20, 'Industry Insider', “Open-access services”, in RAIL, number 1005, page 68:

     As the promoters expected the overall size of the rail market to expand, it demonstrated the aphorism that 'a rising tide lifts all the boats' associated with the belief that improved services benefit all the participants.

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, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
• “aphorism”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.
• “aphorism”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.