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to aphorize

to aphorize

1 9.9
To say or write short, clever sentences that show a general truth
  • verb
  • /ˈæfərˌaɪz/
: aforizar
  • Her mentor often aphorizes, sharing wise sayings that make us think about life.

Examples

  • As the character of Lester in Woody Allen's Crimes and Misdemeanors famously aphorizes, "If it bends it's funny, if it breaks it's not."

    Academic text (2016)
  • Thus, the discovery of E genes showed that, as Goethe aphorized two centuries ago, "Alles ist Blatt" (all is leaf).

    Academic text (2006)
  • "What an odd lad," she disdainfully smiled and aphorized with a tragic smile upon her lips.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • During the lecture, the professor aphorized about the importance of perseverance in achieving success.

  • He always tries to aphorize his thoughts into short sayings, making them easier for others to remember.

How Pithy

to aphorize
1 9.9
to condense
22 4.2
to talk
∞ 1.0
to ramble
  • Informal
51 5.3

Surface Forms

aphorize infinitive
aphorized past
aphorized past participle
aphorizing present participle
aphorizes third person singular

Morphology

aphorize = aphorism (transparent) = aphorism + ize

Meaning is directly derived from 'aphorism' with the productive verb-forming suffix '-ize' meaning 'to make or express as aphorisms'.

Etymology

Aphorize comes from aphorism, which comes from the Greek parts apo- 'away' and horizein 'to limit', the same root as horizon. So to aphorize is to express ideas in short, clear sentences that 'define' a truth.