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Proverb   /prˈɑvərb/   Listen
noun
Proverb  n.  
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.
2.
A striking or paradoxical assertion; an obscure saying; an enigma; a parable. "His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb."
3.
A familiar illustration; a subject of contemptuous reference. "Thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a by word, among all nations."
4.
A drama exemplifying a proverb.
Book of Proverbs, a canonical book of the Old Testament, containing a great variety of wise maxims.
Synonyms: Maxim; aphorism; apothegm; adage; saw.


verb
Proverb  v. t.  
1.
To name in, or as, a proverb. (R.) "Am I not sung and proverbed for a fool?"
2.
To provide with a proverb. (R.) "I am proverbed with a grandsire phrase."


Proverb  v. i.  To write or utter proverbs. (R.)





Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48


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"Proverb" Quotes from Famous Books



... and riddle of the world' is man; use your knowledge of this ancient volume rightly, and you may soon mount the car of fortune, and drive at random wherever your fancy dictates. Bear in mind the Greek proverb, 'Mega biblion, mega kakon.' In your remarks, select such persons who, from their elevated situations in society, ought to be above reproof, and whose vices are, therefore, ...
— The English Spy • Bernard Blackmantle
... position which he occupied. Only in the morning, just at the time Nekhludoff came to see him, he was like a reasonable being, could understand what was said to him, and fulfil more or less aptly a proverb he was fond of repeating: "He's tipsy, but he's wise, so he's ...
— Resurrection • Count Leo Tolstoy
... Romans to combine the advantages of defensive and offensive war and to decline or give battle according to circumstances, and in the latter case to fight under the ramparts of their camp just as under the walls of a fortress—the Roman, says a Roman proverb, ...
— The History of Rome (Volumes 1-5) • Theodor Mommsen
... Paris, that Mozart made the acquaintance of the copyist Weber, and succumbed to the charms of his daughter, Aloysia. But Leopold Mozart, wisely playing the role of stern father, soon sped the susceptible youth on his way to the French capital. It is a French proverb that ...
— Woman's Work in Music • Arthur Elson
... leap, is an old proverb. Had Jack done so, he would have done better; but as there were cogent reasons to be offered in extenuation of our philosopher, we shall say no more, but merely state that Jack, when he got to the other side of the ...
— Mr. Midshipman Easy • Frederick Marryat


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