proverb Hear it!

proverb definition

prov·erb (prävərb)

noun

  1. a short, traditional saying that expresses some obvious truth or familiar experience; adage; maxim
  2. a person or thing that has become commonly recognized as a type of specified characteristics; byword
  3. Bible an enigmatic saying in which a profound truth is cloaked

Etymology: OFr proverbe < L proverbium < pro-, pro- + verbum, word: see verb

transitive verb

Archaic to make a proverb or byword of

Etymology: ME prouerben

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