aphorism

Where does the word "aphorism" come from? It comes from Greek aphorismos, passing through Late Latin and French before entering English (1520s).

Aphorism’s story begins in Greek: aphorismos meant “definition.” A definition, from 'horizein', to mark a boundary; the 'Aphorisms' of Hippocrates open with 'Life is short, the art long'. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Late Latin as aphorismus. Used for Hippocrates' medical maxims. From there it passed into French as aphorisme by 1500s. A concise maxim. It reached English by 1520s as aphorism. First for medical rules, then any pithy saying. Today, aphorism means a short, pithy statement of a general truth.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient aphorismos "definition", a definition, from 'horizein', to mark a boundary; the 'Aphorisms' of Hippocrates open with 'Life is short, the art long'.
2. Stage 2 · Late Latin · ancient aphorismus "maxim", used for Hippocrates' medical maxims.
3. Stage 3 · French · 1500s aphorisme "maxim", a concise maxim.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1520s aphorism "maxim", first for medical rules, then any pithy saying.