Ap'ophthe'gm, a terse, pithy saying, conveying some important truth in a few words. The apophthe'gm is more short, pointed, and practical than the Aphorism (q.v.) need be, and is intended to make a vivid impression on the hearer. Examples are—'God helps them that help themselves'; Dr Johnson's 'Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.' Apophthe'gm is also spelt APOTHEGM.
Ap'ophthe'gm
Chambers's Encyclopaedia, Volume 1: A to Beaufort, p. 339
Source scan(s): p. 0358