apothegm
noun
ap·o·thegm ˈa-pə-ˌthem 
: a short, pithy, and instructive saying or formulation : aphorism
apothegmatic
ˌa-pə-theg-ˈma-tik
adjective 
Synonyms
- adage
- aphorism
- byword
- epigram
- maxim
- proverb
- saw
- saying
- sententia
- word
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
her mother endlessly repeated the apothegm “cleanliness is next to godliness”
Recent Examples on the Web As with every Together Live speaker, each apothegm is met with exuberant applause. 
Zoë Ghertner, Vogue, 10 Jan. 2019
Zoë Ghertner, Vogue, 10 Jan. 2019 Word History
Etymology
borrowed from New Latin apothegma, apophthegma, borrowed from Greek apophthegmat-, apóphthegma, from apophtheg-, stem of apophthéngomai, apophthéngesthai "to speak one's opinion plainly, utter a pithy saying" (from apo- apo- + phthéngomai, phthéngesthai "to utter a sound, speak clearly," of obscure origin) + -mat-, -ma, resultative noun suffix
First Known Use
1548, in the meaning defined above
apothegm
noun
as in proverb
an often stated observation regarding something from common experience her mother endlessly repeated the apothegm "cleanliness is next to godliness" Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- proverb
- saying
- word
- aphorism
- epigram
- maxim
- motto
- adage
- saw
- sententia
- byword
- expression
- remark
- axiom
- bromide
- cliche
- truth
- cliché
- truism
- platitude
- commonplace
- precept
- felicity
- formula
- comment
- wheeze
- reflection
- note