Proverbs
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ərbz| an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance. |
| a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes. |
1275–1325; Middle English proverbe < Middle French < Latin prōverbium adage, equivalent to prō- pro-1 + verb(um) word + -ium -ium
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1. aphorism, apothegm. Proverb, maxim are terms for short, pithy sayings. A proverb is such a saying popularly known and repeated, usually expressing simply and concretely, though often metaphorically, a truth based on common sense or the practical experience of humankind: “A stitch in time saves nine.” A maxim is a brief statement of a general and practical truth, especially one that serves as a rule of conduct or a precept: “It is wise to risk no more than one can afford to lose.”.
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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proverb (ˈprɒvɜːb) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | a short, memorable, and often highly condensed saying embodying, esp with bold imagery, some commonplace fact or experience |
| 2. | a person or thing exemplary in respect of a characteristic: Antarctica is a proverb for extreme cold |
| 3. | ecclesiast a wise saying or admonition providing guidance |
| —vb | |
| 4. | to utter or describe (something) in the form of a proverb |
| 5. | to make (something) a proverb |
| [C14: via Old French from Latin prōverbium, from verbum word] | |
| Proverbs (ˈprɒvɜːbz) | |
| —n | |
| (functioning as singular) a book of the Old Testament consisting of the proverbs of various Israelite sages including Solomon | |
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proverb
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proverb definition
A brief, memorable saying that expresses a truth or belief, such as “A friend in need is a friend indeed.” (See examples under “Proverbs.”)
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Proverb definition
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).
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proverbs
an Old Testament book of "wisdom" writing found in the third section of the Jewish canon, known as the Ketuvim, or Writings. The book's superscription, "The proverbs of Solomon. . . ," is not to say that it as a whole or even individual proverbs should be credited to King Solomon, for scholarly examination discloses that it contains seven collections of wisdom materials (mostly short sayings) from a wide variety of periods, all after Solomon's time.
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