gnomic¹

[noh-mik, nom-ik] /ˈnoʊ mɪk, ˈnɒm ɪk/

adjective

of, pertaining to, or resembling a gnome.

Origin

1805-15; gnome¹ + -ic

gnomic²

[noh-mik, nom-ik] /ˈnoʊ mɪk, ˈnɒm ɪk/

adjective

like or containing gnomes or aphorisms.

of, pertaining to, or noting a writer of aphorisms, especially any of certain Greek poets.

Also, gnomical.

Origin

1805-15; < Greek gnōmikós. See gnome², -ic

Related forms

gnomically, adverb

Examples from the web for gnomic

They function as a gnomic clue that what you are seeing is intentional, while discouraging further conversation or inquiry.
The more gnomic their pronouncements, the more they seemed to the impressionable to be deeply wise and romantic.
The ephemeral is not the same thing as the irreducibly private, the comprehensively gnomic.

British Dictionary definitions for gnomic

gnomic

/ˈnəʊmɪk; ˈnɒm-/

adjective

consisting of, containing, or relating to gnomes or aphorisms

of or relating to a writer of such sayings

Derived Forms

gnomically, adverb

Contemporary definitions for gnomic

adjective

pertaining to maxims

Word Origin

Greek gnome 'maxim' + -ikos '-ic'

adjective

expressing what is generally or universally true

Word Origin

Greek gnome 'maxim' + -ikos '-ic'

adjective

pertaining to or being like a gnome

Word Origin

French gnome + -ic

Word Origin and History for gnomic

adj.

"full of instructive sayings," 1815, from French gnomique (18c.) and directly from Late Latin gnomicus "concerned with maxims, didactic," from Greek gnomikos, from gnome "thought, opinion, maxim, intelligence," from root of gignoskein "to come to know" (see gnostic). English gnome meant "short, pithy statement of general truth" (1570s). Gnomical is attested from 1610s.