noun
maxim
MAK-sihm
noun
1
A short, memorable statement that expresses a general truth or rule for behaviour.
""Honesty is the best policy" is a maxim most of us grew up hearing."
"His grandfather had a maxim for every situation in life."
2
An early type of machine gun, named after its inventor, that fires automatically as long as the trigger is held.
"The Maxim gun gave a huge advantage to the armies that adopted it in the late 1800s."
How to Use Maxim
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA short saying that sums up a rule of good sense or good conduct.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "maximum" (the highest amount) — a maxim is a saying, not a limit.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
an old maxim
a maxim goes
live by a maxim
Word Forms
maxims plural, Maxims plural, Maxims plural
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"Honesty is the best policy" is a _____ most of us grew up hearing.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman and Middle French maxime, going back to Late Latin maxima ("greatest premise"), from Latin maximus ("greatest").