Ăd'ăge, n.

n. [Fr. adage, It. adagio, Lat. adagium and adagio; from adigere, to adduce; ad and agere, to lead, do.] An old saying, which has obtained credit by long use; a wise observation handed down from antiquity.

Letting “I dare not” wait upon “I would,” Like the poor cat i’ the adage. Shak.

Synonyms— Axiom; maxim; aphorism; proverb; saying; saw. See AXIOM.