aphorism
pronunciation
How to pronounce aphorism in British English:
UK [ˈæfərɪzəm]
How to pronounce aphorism in American English:
US [ˈæfəˌrɪzəm]
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- Noun:
- a short pithy instructive saying
Word Origin
- aphorism
- aphorism: see horizon
- aphorism (n.)
- 1520s (especially in reference to the "Aphorisms of Hippocrates"), from Middle French aphorisme (14c., aufforisme), from Late Latin aphorismus, from Greek aphorismos "definition, pithy sentence," from aphorizein "to mark off, divide," from apo- "from" (see apo-) + horizein "to bound" (see horizon). An aphorism is a short, pithy statement containing a truth of general import; an axiom is a statement of self-evident truth; a theorem is a demonstrable proposition in science or mathematics; an epigram is like an aphorism, but lacking in general import. Maxim and saying can be used as synonyms for aphorism.
Example
- 1. It 's one thing to forget the past , with predictable consequences , as the favorite aphorism goes .
- 2. He quoted a chinese aphorism as he accepted the nomination on saturday , which he translated as , " together we work , together we progress . "
- 3. The goal of this theory is encapsulated in bentham 's aphorism that " the greatest happiness of the greatest number is the foundation of morals and legislation . "