Prŏv'erb1, n.
[Fr. proverbe, Pr. proverbi, Sp., Pg., & It. proverbio, Lat. proverbium, from pro, before, for, and verbum, a word.]
Sense 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.
The proverb is true, that light gains make heavy purses; for light gains come often, great gains now and then. Bacon.
Sense 2. Hence, a striking or paradoxical assertion; an enigma.
His disciples said unto him, Lo! now speakest thou plainly, and thou usest no proverb. Wycliffe's Bible, 1551.
Sense 3. A by-word; an expression of contempt.
Thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a by-word among all nations. Deut. xxviii. 37.
Book of Proverbs, a canonical book of the Old Testament, containing a great variety of wise maxims, rich in practical truths and excellent rules for the conduct of all classes of men.
Synonyms— Maxim; aphorism; apopthegm; adage; saw.