'aphoristic' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'aphorismos' (Greek: ἀφορισμός), where the elements 'apo-' meant 'away' and 'horizein' meant 'to limit, define'.

'aphoristic' developed via Latin and later English usage from Greek 'aphorismos' → Latin/Medieval Latin 'aphorismus' → English 'aphorism', with the adjective 'aphoristic' formed in English to describe qualities of an aphorism.

Initially related to the idea of a 'definition' or 'separating off' (in Greek), the stem evolved into meaning a concise, pointed statement (an 'aphorism'); the adjective now means 'characteristic of aphorisms'—brief and pointed expression.