(ˈ)brō|kärd, ˈbräkərd, ˈbrōkərd noun
( -s )
Etymology: French, from Medieval Latin brocardum, irregular from Burchardus Burchard died 1025 German bishop who compiled a book of ecclesiastical canons
: an elementary principle or maxim : a short proverbial rule (as in law, ethics, or metaphysics)