maxim

Short definition from Wiktionary

Noun

1. 1
   A self-evident axiom or premise; a pithy expression of a general principle or rule.
2. 2
   A precept; a succinct statement or observation of a rule of conduct or moral teaching.
3. 3
   Alternative letter-case form of Maxim.
4. 4
   The Maxim gun, a British machine gun of various calibres used by the British army from 1889 until World War I.
5. 5
   Any machine gun that derives from the design pattern of Maxim's patented design
6. 6
   A machine gun

Proper noun

1. 1
   A surname