expressed in a few words; a sharply defined sentence relating to abstract truth rather than to practical
matters.
The first aphorism of Hippocrates is, "Life is short, and the art is long."
Fleming.
Syn. — Axiom; maxim; adage; proverb; apothegm; saying; saw; truism; dictum. See Axiom.
Aphorismatic
(Aph`o*ris*mat"ic Aph`o*ris"mic) a. Pertaining to aphorisms, or having the form of an
aphorism.
Aphorismer
(Aph`o*ris"mer) n. A dealer in aphorisms. [Used in derogation or contempt.] Milton.
Aphorist
(Aph"o*rist), n. A writer or utterer of aphorisms.
Aphoristic
(Aph`o*ris"tic Aph`o*ris"tic*al) a. In the form of, or of the nature of, an aphorism; in the form
of short, unconnected sentences; as, an aphoristic style.
The method of the book is aphoristic.
De Quincey.
Aphoristically
(Aph`o*ris"tic*al*ly), adv. In the form or manner of aphorisms; pithily.
Aphorize
(Aph"o*rize) v. i. To make aphorisms.
Aphrite
(Aph"rite) n. (Min.) See under Calcite.
Aphrodisiac
(Aph`ro*dis"i*ac Aph`ro*di*si"a*cal) a. [Gr. pertaining to sensual love, fr. . See Aphrodite.]
Exciting venereal desire; provocative to venery.
Aphrodisiac
(Aph`ro*dis"i*ac), n. That which (as a drug, or some kinds of food) excites to venery.
Aphrodisian
(Aph`ro*dis"i*an) a. Pertaining to Aphrodite or Venus. "Aphrodisian dames" [that is, courtesans].
C. Reade.
Aphrodite
(||Aph`ro*di"te) n.
1. (Classic Myth.) The Greek goddess of love, corresponding to the Venus of the Romans.
2. (Zoöl.) A large marine annelid, covered with long, lustrous, golden, hairlike setæ; the sea mouse.
3. (Zoöl.) A beautiful butterfly (Argunnis Aphrodite) of the United States.
Aphroditic
(Aph`ro*dit"ic) a. Venereal. [R.] Dunglison.
Aphtha
(||Aph"tha) n. [Sing. of Aphthæ.] (Med.) (a) One of the whitish specks called aphthæ. (b) The
disease, also called thrush.
Aphthæ
(||Aph"thæ) n. pl. [L., fr. Gr. (mostly in pl. Hipp.) an eruption, thrush, fr. to set on fire, inflame.]
(Med.) Roundish pearl-colored specks or flakes in the mouth, on the lips, etc., terminating in white sloughs.
They are commonly characteristic of thrush.
Aphthoid
(Aph"thoid), a. [Aphtha + -oid.] Of the nature of aphthæ; resembling thrush.
Aphthong
(Aph"thong) n. [Gr. silent; 'a priv. + voice, sound, fr. to sound.] A letter, or a combination of
letters, employed in spelling a word, but in the pronunciation having no sound. — Aph*thon"gal a.
Aphthous
(Aph"thous) a. [Cf. F. aphtheux.] Pertaining to, or caused by, aphthæ; characterized by aphtæ; as,
aphthous ulcers; aphthous fever.
