aphorism

aph·o·rism

A0363600 (ăf′ə-rĭz′əm)n.1. A tersely phrased statement of a truth or opinion; an adage. See Synonyms at saying.2. A brief statement of a scientific principle.

[French aphorisme, from Old French, from Late Latin aphorismus, from Greek aphorismos, from aphorizein, to delimit, define : apo-, apo- + horizein, to delimit, define; see horizon.]

aph′o·rist n.aph′o·ris′tic (-rĭs′tĭk) adj.aph′o·ris′ti·cal·ly adv.

aphorism

(ˈæfəˌrɪzəm) na short pithy saying expressing a general truth; maxim[C16: from Late Latin aphorismus, from Greek aphorismos definition, from aphorizein to define, set limits to, from horos boundary] ˈaphorist n

aph•o•rism

(ˈæf əˌrɪz əm)

n. a terse saying embodying a general truth or astute observation, as “Art is long, life is short.” [1520–30; French aphorisme < Late Latin aphorismus < Greek aphorismós definition =aphor(ízein) to define + -ismos -ism] aph′o•rist, n.

aphorism

a terse saying embodying a general truth, as “Time flies.” — aphorist, n. — aphorismic, aphorismical, aphoristic, adj.See also: Proverbs

aphorism

A brief, witty statement of a general truth.

Thesaurus

Noun

aphorism - a short pithy instructive sayingapophthegm, apothegmaxiom, maxim - a saying that is widely accepted on its own merits

aphorism

noun saying, maxim, gnome, adage, proverb, dictum, precept, axiom, apothegm, saw one of his favoured aphorisms

aphorism

nounA usually pithy and familiar statement expressing an observation or principle generally accepted as wise or true:adage, byword, maxim, motto, proverb, saw, saying.

Translations

aforismaaforismeафоризм

aphorism

(ăf`ərĭz'əm), short, pithy statement of an evident truth concerned with life or nature; distinguished from the axiom because its truth is not capable of scientific demonstration. HippocratesHippocrates
, c.460–c.370 B.C., Greek physician, recognized as the father of medicine. He is believed to have been born on the island of Cos, to have studied under his father, a physician, to have traveled for some time, perhaps studying in Athens, and to have then
..... Click the link for more information. was the first to use the term for his Aphorisms, briefly stated medical principles. Note his famous opening sentence: "Life is short, art is long, opportunity fleeting, experimenting dangerous, reasoning difficult."

Aphorism

a generalized, finalized, and profound idea of an author, expressed in laconic, refined form; it is distinguished by its apt expressiveness and obvious unexpectedness of judgment. Like a proverb, an aphorism does not prove or document but rather acts on the consciousness through the original formulation of a thought. The expressiveness of aphorisms increases with a decrease in the number of words; about three-fourths of all aphorisms consist of three to five words. Aphorisms are formed both in the context of scientific, philosophical, and artistic works and independently: “Mediocrity is more easily forgiven than talent” (E. Krotkii); “Each hears only what he understands” (J. W. Goethe); “Knowledge is power” (F. Bacon). The verbal fabric of aphorisms permits no changes.

REFERENCES

Uspenskii, L. “Korotko ob aforizmakh.” In the collection Aforizmy. Compiled by E. S. Raize. Leningrad, 1964.
Asemissen, H. U. “Notizen über den Aphorismus.” Trivium. [Zürich,] 1949, no. 2.

A. I. FIURSTENBERG

aphorism

noun

Synonyms for aphorism

noun saying

Synonyms

saying
maxim
gnome
adage
proverb
dictum
precept
axiom
apothegm
saw

Synonyms for aphorism

noun a usually pithy and familiar statement expressing an observation or principle generally accepted as wise or true

Synonyms

adage
byword
maxim
motto
proverb
saw
saying

aphorism

aph·o·rism

aphorism

aph•o•rism

aphorism

aphorism

aphorism

aphorism

aphorism

aphorism

Aphorism

REFERENCES

aphorism

Synonyms for aphorism

noun saying

Synonyms

Synonyms for aphorism

noun a usually pithy and familiar statement expressing an observation or principle generally accepted as wise or true

Synonyms

Synonyms for aphorism

noun a short pithy instructive saying

Synonyms

Related Words