Etymology Map
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Aphorism

4 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means a short, pithy statement of a general truth

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

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

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.