'aphorism' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'aphorismos,' where 'apo-' meant 'from' and 'horizein' meant 'to bound or define.'

'aphorismos' transformed into the Latin word 'aphorismus,' and eventually became the modern English word 'aphorism' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'a definition or concise statement,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a concise statement of a principle or precept.'