aphorism

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Bailey
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aphorism

Postby Bailey » Sun Sep 23, 2007 1:30 pm

aph·o·rism (f-rzm)
n.
1. A tersely phrased statement of a truth or opinion; an adage. See Synonyms at saying.
2. A brief statement of a 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.]


apho·rist n.
apho·ristic (-rstk) adj.
apho·risti·cal·ly adv.

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Slava
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Postby Slava » Sat May 28, 2011 7:48 pm

An old suggestion that actually came after the word had been done. Here's the link:

http://www.alphadictionary.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=1769
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Audiendus
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Re: aphorism

Postby Audiendus » Sun May 29, 2011 9:50 am

apho·rist n.
apho·ristic (-rstk) adj.
apho·risti·cal·ly adv.
There is also a verb, aphorize (or aphorise) – to write or speak in aphorisms.

MTC
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Postby MTC » Tue May 31, 2011 9:54 am

Francis Bacon (1561-1626) is appreciated for his aphoristic style, for example:

'Wives are young men's mistresses, companions for middle age and old men's nurses.' (Of Marriage and Single Life).

'Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested.' (Of Studies).

'Crafty men condemn studies; simple men admire them; and wise men use them.' (Of Studies)

'Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; and writing an exact man.' (Of Studies)

'Revenge is a kind of wild justice.' (Of Revenge)

'Men fear death as children fear to go in the dark.' (Of Fear)

'Virtue is like precious odours, most fragrant when they are incensed or crushed; for prosperity doth best discover vice, but adversity doth best discover virtue.' (Of adversity).

Proverbs and aphorisms are closely related. Inside every proverb there is an aphorism.

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Slava
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Re: aphorism

Postby Slava » Tue May 31, 2011 11:21 am

There is also a verb, aphorize (or aphorise) – to write or speak in aphorisms.
Wouldn't this make it possible to call someone who does this an aphoriser?
Life is like playing chess with chessmen who each have thoughts and feelings and motives of their own.


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