apothegm

noun

ap·​o·​thegm ˈa-pə-ˌthem 

: a short, pithy, and instructive saying or formulation : aphorism

apothegmatic

ˌa-pə-theg-ˈma-tik 

adjective

Synonyms

• adage
• aphorism
• byword
• epigram
• maxim
• proverb
• saw
• saying
• sententia
• word

Examples of apothegm in a Sentence

her mother endlessly repeated the apothegm “cleanliness is next to godliness”

Recent Examples on the Web

As with every Together Live speaker, each apothegm is met with exuberant applause. —Zoë Ghertner, Vogue, 10 Jan. 2019

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin apothegma, apophthegma, borrowed from Greek apophthegmat-, apóphthegma, from apophtheg-, stem of apophthéngomai, apophthéngesthai "to speak one's opinion plainly, utter a pithy saying" (from apo- apo- + phthéngomai, phthéngesthai "to utter a sound, speak clearly," of obscure origin) + -mat-, -ma, resultative noun suffix

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined above