Nearby Words

proverbial

[pruh-vur-bee-uhl] Origin

pro·ver·bi·al

[pruh-vur-bee-uhl]
adjective
1.
of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a proverb: proverbial brevity.
2.
expressed in a proverb or proverbs: proverbial wisdom.
3.
of the nature of or resembling a proverb: proverbial sayings.
4.
having been made the subject of a proverb: the proverbial barn door which is closed too late.
5.
having become an object of common mention or reference: your proverbial inability to get anywhere on time.

Origin:
1400–50; late Middle English < Latin prōverbiālis. See proverb, -al1

pro·ver·bi·al·ly, adverb
un·pro·ver·bi·al, adjective
un·pro·ver·bi·al·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Proverbial is always a great word to know.
So is lollapalooza. Does it mean:
an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.
a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare.
Collins
World English Dictionary
proverbial (prəˈvɜːbɪəl)
 
adj
1.  (prenominal) commonly or traditionally referred to, esp as being an example of some peculiarity, characteristic, etc
2.  of, connected with, embodied in, or resembling a proverb
 
pro'verbially
 
adv

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

proverbial
mid-15c., from L.L. proverbialis, from proverbium (see proverb).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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