the meaning of "dart" in a certain context

[Chicken Sandwich]

To discover that abortion was one of the greatest crime-lowering factors in American
history is, needless to say, jarring. It feels less Darwinian than Swiftian; it calls to mind a
long ago dart attributed to G. K. Chesterton: when there aren’t enough hats to go around,
the problem isn’t solved by lopping off some heads.

dart 2 noun

1 [ countable ] a small pointed object that is thrown or shot as a weapon, or one that is thrown in the game of darts : a poisoned dart

2 darts [ uncountable ] a game in which darts are thrown at a round board with numbers on it
3 [ singular ] a sudden quick movement in a particular direction : The prisoner made a dart for the door.

4 dart of guilt/panic/pain etc a very sudden, sharp feeling : It sent a dart of terror through her.

5 [ countable ] a small fold put into a piece of clothing to make it fit better

None of these definitions apply. My feeling is that dart in this context means something along the lines of either a "saying" or "wisdom".

Am I correct here? If so, why is a dart charecteristic for a "saying".

 

[Raymott]

None of these definitions apply. My feeling is that dart in this context means something along the lines of either a "saying" or "wisdom".

Am I correct here? If so, why is a dart charecteristic for a "saying".

You don't say which dictionary you are quoting. (You should).
Whichever it is, you don't seem to be getting much value from it. Have you considered others?

b : something causing sudden pain or distress <darts of sarcasm>
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dart

 

[Chicken Sandwich]

Thanks.

I was quoting the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English. As pointed out by teachers, this is one of the best dictionaries. Granted, not all definitions are included. I have considered other dictionaries, but for learners, this seems to the best one out there. I occasionally use other dictionaries (Concise Oxford English Dictionary and the Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary), none of had the definition I was looking for.