aphorism
(redirected from aforism)Also found in: Thesaurus, Encyclopedia.
aph·o·rism
(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.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
aphorism
(ˈæfəˌrɪzəm)n
a 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
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
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.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
aphorism
a terse saying embodying a general truth, as “Time flies.” — aphorist, n. — aphorismic, aphorismical, aphoristic, adj.
See also: Proverbs-Ologies & -Isms. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
aphorism
A brief, witty statement of a general truth.
Dictionary of Unfamiliar Words by Diagram Group Copyright © 2008 by Diagram Visual Information Limited
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Noun | 1. | aphorism - a short pithy instructive saying |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
aphorism
noun saying, maxim, gnome, adage, proverb, dictum, precept, axiom, apothegm, saw one of his favoured aphorisms
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
aphorism
nounThe American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
aforisme
aforismusaforizmus
aforisme
aforizam
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
aphorism
n → Aphorismus m
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995