brocard

noun

bro·​card

(ˈ)brō¦kärd,

ˈbräkərd,

ˈbrōkərd

plural -s

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

Word History

Etymology

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

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