From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishproverbprov‧erb /ˈprɒvɜːb $ ˈprɑːvɜːrb/ ●●○ noun [countable] SLSAYINGa short well-known statement that gives advice or expresses something that is generally true. ‘A penny saved is a penny earned’ is an example of a proverb. → saying► see thesaurus at phrase
Examples from the Corpus
proverb• A proverb in fact from hell.• She was an encyclopaedia of superstitions and proverbs.• An Irish proverb is relevant here -- 'You've got to do your own growing, no matter how tall your grandfather is.'• Maxims, proverbs, and other forms of folk wisdom give a person reasons for obeying rules.• Sticks and stones may break our bones, but names will never hurt us, as the noted proverb has it.• Do you remember this old proverb: 'When poverty comes in the door, love flies out of the window'?• In reply, he quoted a Sanskrit proverb: 'Forgiveness is the ornament of the brave'.• There is as it happens an Anglo-Saxon proverb analogous to Lord Acton's, but still significantly different.• He grinned and then uttered a Swahili proverb.• After frontal damage, the patient may just paraphrase the proverb.Origin proverb (1300-1400) Old French proverbe, from Latin proverbium, from verbum “word” 