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proverb definition

prov·erb (präv′ərb)

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

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

proverb Synonyms

proverb

n.

maxim, adage, aphorism, precept, saw, saying, motto, dictum, text, witticism, repartee, axiom, truism, apothegm, byword, catch phrase, mot, epigram, moral, folk wisdom, platitude. See syn. study at saying.saying.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

proverb Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • remember: Remember the programming proverb: " Weeks of programming can save a few hours of design time.

Adjective modifier

  • Chinese: In the words of the Chinese proverb: A journey of 1000 miles starts with a single step.

Preposition: on

  • subject: Three of the book's nine chapters revolve around proverbs on this subject.

Modifies a noun

  • chapter: Proverbs chapter 16 ( NLT ) 11 The LORD demands fairness in every business deal; he sets the standard.

Preposition: of

  • hell: Plates 7-10 Proverbs of Hell ( selected ) The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom.

Noun used with modifier

  • management: Most have been sent in by email, so the collection of project management proverbs continues to grow.
proverb usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

proverb quotes

  But if ye shall at all turn from following me† Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and thishouse, which Ihavehallowed formy name, will Icast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people.

-Bible (Old Testament)

'Bed,'as the Italian proverb succinctly puts it,'isthe poor man's opera.'

-Huxley, Aldous Leonard

Asthe Spanishproverbsays,'He, whowould bring home the wealth of the Indies, must carry the wealth of the Indies with him.' So it is in travelling; a man must carry knowledge with him, if he would bring home knowledge.

-Johnson, Samuel known as Dr Johnson

proverb quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"proverb." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/proverb>

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proverb. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/proverb

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