Emily Dickinson Lexicon

AP'OPH-THEGM, or AP'O-THEM, n. [Gr. απο, from, and φθεγμα, word. It would be eligible to reduce this harsh word to apothem.]

A remarkable saying; a short, sententious, instructive remark, uttered on a particular occasion, or by a distinguished character; as that of Cyrus, “He is unworthy to be a magistrate, who is not better than his subjects;” or that of Cato, “Homines nihil agendo, discunt male agere,” Men by doing nothing, soon learn to do mischief.