Ăph'o-rĭsm, n.

n. [Fr. aphorisme, N. Lat. aphorismus, Gr. ἀφορισμός, definition, a short, pithy sentence, from ἀφορίζειν, to mark off by boundaries, to define, from ἀπό, from, and ὁρίζειν.] [See AORIST.] A precept or principle expressed in a few words; a short sentence containing some important truth; as, the aphorisms of Hippocrates, or of the civil law.

The three ancient commentators on Hippocrates have given the same definition of an aphorism, i. e., “A succinct saying comprehending a complete statement,” or a saying poor in expression but rich in sentiment.

Synonyms—Axiom; maxim; adage; proverb; apothegm; saying. See AXIOM.