Hypertext Webster Gateway: "proverbial"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Proverbial \Pro*ver"bi*al\, 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.
In case of excesses, I take the German proverbial
cure, by a hair of the same beast, to be the worst.
--Sir W.
Temple.
2. Of or pertaining to proverbs; resembling a proverb. ``A
proverbial obscurity.'' --Sir T. Browne.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
proverbial
adj 1: of or relating to or resembling or expressed in a proverb;
"he kicked the proverbial bucket"; "the proverbial
grasshopper"
2: widely known and spoken of; "her proverbial lateness"; "the
proverbial absentiminded professor"; "your proverbial
dizzy blonde"
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