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brocard

noun
bro·​card | \(ˈ)brō¦kärd, ˈbräkərd, ˈbrōkərd\
plural -s

Definition of brocard 

: an elementary principle or maxim : a short proverbial rule (as in law, ethics, or metaphysics)

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History and Etymology for brocard

French, from Medieval Latin brocardum, irregular from Burchardus Burchard †1025 German bishop who compiled a book of ecclesiastical canons

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