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aphorism
aph·o·rism / ˈafəˌrizəm/ • n. a pithy observation that contains a general truth, such as, “if it ain't broke, don't fix it.” ∎ a concise statement of a scientific principle, typically by an ancient classical author. DERIVATIVES: aph·o·rist n. aph·o·ris·tic / ˌafəˈristik/ adj. aph·o·ris·ti·cal·ly / ˌafəˈristik(ə)lē/ adv. aph·o·rize / -ˌrīz/ v. |
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"aphorism." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "aphorism." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-aphorism.html "aphorism." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-aphorism.html |
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aphorism
aphorism , 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. Hippocrates 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." |
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"aphorism." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "aphorism." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-aphorism.html "aphorism." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-aphorism.html |
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aphorism
aphorism a concise statement of a scientific principle, typically by a classical author; a pithy observation which contains a general truth. The word comes from the ‘Aphorisms of Hippocrates’, and was transferred to other sententious statements of the principles of physical science, and then to statements of principles generally.
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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "aphorism." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "aphorism." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-aphorism.html ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "aphorism." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-aphorism.html |
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aphorism
aphorism, a term transferred from the ‘Aphorisms of Hippocrates’ to other sententious statements of the principles of physical science, and later to statements of principles generally. Thence it has come to mean any short pithy statement into which much thought or observation is compressed.
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MARGARET DRABBLE and JENNY STRINGER. "aphorism." The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MARGARET DRABBLE and JENNY STRINGER. "aphorism." The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O54-aphorism.html MARGARET DRABBLE and JENNY STRINGER. "aphorism." The Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature. 2003. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O54-aphorism.html |
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aphorism
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T. F. HOAD. "aphorism." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 28 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "aphorism." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 28, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-aphorism.html T. F. HOAD. "aphorism." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 28, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-aphorism.html |
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