proverb

n. [ OE. proverbe, F. proverbe, from L. proverbium; pro before, for + verbum a word. See Verb. ] 1. An old and common saying; a phrase which is often repeated; especially, a sentence which briefly and forcibly expresses some practical truth, or the result of experience and observation; a maxim; a saw; an adage. Chaucer. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A striking or paradoxical assertion; an obscure saying; an enigma; a parable. [ 1913 Webster ]

His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb. John xvi. 29. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A familiar illustration; a subject of contemptuous reference. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a by word, among all nations. Deut. xxviii. 37. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A drama exemplifying a proverb. [ 1913 Webster ]

Book of Proverbs, a canonical book of the Old Testament, containing a great variety of wise maxims. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Maxim; aphorism; apothegm; adage; saw. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. 1. To name in, or as, a proverb. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Am I not sung and proverbed for a fool ? Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To provide with a proverb. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

I am proverbed with a grandsire phrase. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. proverbialis: cf. F. proverbial. ] 1. Mentioned or comprised in a proverb; used as a proverb; hence, commonly known; as, a proverbial expression; his meanness was proverbial. [ 1913 Webster ]

In case of excesses, I take the German proverbial cure, by a hair of the same beast, to be the worst. Sir W. Temple. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Of or pertaining to proverbs; resembling a proverb. “A proverbial obscurity.” Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A proverbial phrase. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who makes much use of proverbs in speech or writing; one who composes, collects, or studies proverbs. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. & i. [ Cf. F. proverbialiser. ] To turn into a proverb; to speak in proverbs. [ 1913 Webster ]