gnomic

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   expressed in a short, mysterious way that seems wise but is difficult to understand

   Her gnomic reply left everyone unsure of her intentions.

2. 2
   adj

   expressing a general truth in the concise form of an aphorism or maxim

   The poem ends with a gnomic warning about pride.

From Greek gnōmikos, ‘sententious or aphoristic,’ from gnōmē, ‘thought, judgment, or maxim.’ Its modern sense developed from the compressed, often obscure character of proverbial sayings; it is unrelated to the mythical creature called a gnome.

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