n. [ OE. proverbe, F. proverbe, from L. proverbium; pro before, for + verbum a word. See Verb. ]
His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb. John xvi. 29. [ 1913 Webster ]
Thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a by word, among all nations. Deut. xxviii. 37. [ 1913 Webster ]
Book of Proverbs,
v. t.
Am I not sung and proverbed for a fool ? Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]
I am proverbed with a grandsire phrase. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. i. To write or utter proverbs. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
a. [ L. proverbialis: cf. F. proverbial. ]
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 ]
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 ]
adv. In a proverbial manner; by way of proverb; hence, commonly; universally;