brocard
noun
bro·card
(ˈ)brō¦kärd,
ˈbräkərd,
ˈbrōkərd
plural -s
: an elementary principle or maxim : a short proverbial rule (as in law, ethics, or metaphysics)
Word History
Etymology
French, from Medieval Latin brocardum, irregular from Burchardus Burchard †1025 German bishop who compiled a book of ecclesiastical canons