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.
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   2. A striking or paradoxical assertion; an obscure saying; an
      enigma; a parable.
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            His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou
            plainly, and speakest no proverb.     --John xvi.
                                                  29.
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   3. A familiar illustration; a subject of contemptuous
      reference.
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            Thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a
            by word, among all nations.           --Deut.
                                                  xxviii. 37.
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   4. A drama exemplifying a proverb.
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   Book of Proverbs, a canonical book of the Old Testament,
      containing a great variety of wise maxims.
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   Syn: Maxim; aphorism; apothegm; adage; saw.
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	Proverb \Prov"erb\, v. t.
   1. To name in, or as, a proverb. [R.]
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            Am I not sung and proverbed for a fool ? --Milton.
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   2. To provide with a proverb. [R.]
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            I am proverbed with a grandsire phrase. --Shak.
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	Proverb \Prov"erb\, v. i.
   To write or utter proverbs. [R.]
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	proverb
    n 1: a condensed but memorable saying embodying some important
         fact of experience that is taken as true by many people
         [syn: proverb, adage, saw, byword]

	

	52 Moby Thesaurus words for "proverb":
   adage, ana, analects, aphorism, apophthegm, apothegm, axiom,
   bromide, byword, catchword, cliche, coin a phrase,
   collected sayings, commonplace, current saying, dictate, dictum,
   distich, epigram, expression, gnome, golden saying, homily, maxim,
   moral, mot, motto, oracle, phrase, pithy saying, platitude,
   precept, prescript, proverbial saying, proverbs, saw, saying,
   sentence, sententious expression, sloka, stock saying, sutra,
   teaching, text, truism, verse, wisdom, wisdom literature,
   wise saying, witticism, word, words of wisdom

	

	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).