Definition of Aphorism

1. Noun. A short pithy instructive saying.


Definition of Aphorism

1. n. A comprehensive maxim or principle expressed in a few words; a sharply defined sentence relating to abstract truth rather than to practical matters.

Definition of Aphorism

1. Noun. An original laconic phrase conveying some principle or concept of thought. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Aphorism

1. a brief statement of a truth or principle [n -S]

Medical Definition of Aphorism

1. A short popular sayings effectively expressing or astutely professing general truths or useful thoughts. (12 Dec 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Aphorism

aphonia
aphonia paralytica
aphonias
aphonic
aphonic pectoriloquy
aphonics
aphonies
aphonogelia
aphonous
aphony
aphoria
aphorise
aphorised
aphorises
aphorising
aphorism (current term)
aphorismer
aphorismers
aphorisms
aphorist
aphoristic
aphoristical
aphoristically
aphorists
aphorize
aphorized
aphorizer
aphorizers
aphorizes
aphorizing

Literary usage of Aphorism

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Proverbs by Crawford Howell Toy (1899)
"In the Book of Proverbs it is either an aphorism (10-22) or a discourse (1-9, 23®^ 2723"27). 2-7. Preface or introduction, stating the object of the book, ..."

2. The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge: Embracing by Johann Jakob Herzog, Philip Schaff, Albert Hauck (1910)
"... London and New York, 1909; AR Orage, Nietzsche in Outline and aphorism, New York. 1910. NIGERIA. See AFRICA, II. NIGHTINGALE, FLORENCE: Philanthropist ..."

3. The Catholic Encyclopedia: An International Work of Reference on the by Charles George Herbermann, Edward Aloysius Pace, Condé Bénoist Pallen, Thomas Joseph Shahan, John Joseph Wynne (1913)
"... the receptacles and materials are free from living germs, results always verify Pasteur's well-known aphorism: La génération spontanée est une chimère. ..."

4. A History of Criticism and Literary Taste in Europe from the Earliest Texts by George Saintsbury (1904)
"... that the Beautiful not merely gives satis- tw aphorism, faction and appeasement to the sensual part in us, but also lifts up the soul.1 This, at least, ..."

5. Society As I Have Found It by Ward MacAllister (1890)
"... The Prince of Wales's aphorism — The value of a pleasant Manner •—• How a Gentleman should dress — / might have made a Fortune — Commodore Vanderbilt ..."

6. The Phonographic Magazine by Jerome Bird Howard (1906)
"The words "art is long" are written in quotation because they are taken from the famous aphorism of Hippocrates: " Life is short and the art long. ..."

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