5  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Proverb  \Prov"erb\,  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. 
 
  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.  --John  xvi. 
  29. 
 
  3.  A  familiar  illustration;  a  subject  of  contemptuous 
  reference. 
 
  Thou  shalt  become  an  astonishment,  a  proverb,  and  a 
  by  word  among  all  nations.  --Deut. 
  xxviii.  37. 
 
  4.  A  drama  exemplifying  a  proverb. 
 
  {Book  of  Proverbs},  a  canonical  book  of  the  Old  Testament, 
  containing  a  great  variety  of  wise  maxims. 
 
  Syn:  Maxim;  aphorism;  apothegm;  adage;  saw. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Proverb  \Prov"erb\,  v.  t. 
  1.  To  name  in  or  as  a  proverb.  [R.] 
 
  Am  I  not  sung  and  proverbed  for  a  fool  ?  --Milton. 
 
  2.  To  provide  with  a  proverb.  [R.] 
 
  I  am  proverbed  with  a  grandsire  phrase.  --Shak. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Proverb  \Prov"erb\,  v.  i. 
  To  write  or  utter  proverbs.  [R.] 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  proverb 
  n  :  a  condensed  but  memorable  saying  embodying  some  important 
  fact  of  experience  that  is  taken  as  true  by  many  people 
  [syn:  {adage},  {saw},  {byword}] 
 
  From  Easton's  1897  Bible  Dictionary  [easton]: 
 
  Proverb 
  a  trite  maxim;  a  similitude;  a  parable.  The  Hebrew  word  thus 
  rendered  (mashal)  has  a  wide  signification.  It  comes  from  a  root 
  meaning  "to  be  like,"  "parable."  Rendered  proverb"  in  Isa. 
  14:4;  Hab.  2:6;  "dark  saying"  in  Ps  49:4,  Num.  12:8.  Ahab's 
  defiant  words  in  answer  to  the  insolent  demands  of  Benhadad, 
  "Let  not  him  that  girdeth  on  his  harness  boast  himself  as  he 
  that  putteth  it  off,"  is  a  well  known  instance  of  a  proverbial 
  saying  (1  Kings  20:11). 
 

browse words by letter
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z
or search   thesauri dictionary search words