Hypertext Webster Gateway: "proverb"

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).

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) 1.7 (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}]


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