Aphorism | Demesne

APHORISM

NOUN
A pithy observation which contains a general truth.
A concise statement of a scientific principle, typically by a classical author.

Origin
Early 16th century: from French aphorisme or late Latin aphorismus, from Greek aphorismos ‘definition’, from aphorizein ‘define’.

Oxford Dictionaries

DEMESNE
/dɪˈmeɪn/, /dɪˈmiːn/

NOUN
historical
A piece of land attached to a manor and retained by the owner for their own use.
The lands of an estate.
(archaic) A region or domain.

law
[mass noun] Possession of real property in one's own right.

Origin
Middle English: from Old French demeine (later Anglo-Norman French demesne) ‘belonging to a lord’, from Latin dominicus, from dominus ‘lord, master’. Compare with domain.

Oxford Dictionaries

Two words from Cory Doctorow's latest novel, Walkaway. I have came across 'aphorism' many times before, but its meaning just never stuck with me. 'Demesne', however, was new.