proverb

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈpɹɒvɜːb/ (UK); /ˈpɹɑˌvɝb/ (US)^[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Middle English proverbe, borrowed from Old French proverbe,^{[2][3][4][5][6]} and directly from Latin prōverbium (“a common saying, proverb”),^{[2][3][4][5][6]} literally “words put forward”,^[3][4] from Latin prō- (“forth”) + verbum (“word”).^{[2][3][4][5][6]}

Earliest recorded meaning

In the title of the Old Testament Book of Proverbs (1303).^[7][3][4]

Semantic evolution

In the scriptural sense a proverb was an enigmatic or oracular saying that requires interpretation (1382), a sense now obsolete.^[7][4] The general sense, a short pithy saying in common use expressing a truth or practical precept, is recorded from about 1374.^[7][4] By the late 14th century it also meant a byword, an object of scorn (1382).^[7][4] Old English had bīspell and bīword for a proverb.^[4]

Timeline

• 1303 – the Book of Proverbs.^[7][3]
• c. 1374 – a pithy popular saying.^[7]
• 1382 – a byword; an enigmatic saying.^[7]
• before 1425 – proverbially.^[3]
• 1571 – proverbial, well known.^[3]

Modern meaning

Noun

1. A short, pithy saying in common use that expresses a basic truth or practical precept; an adage or saw.
2. A person or thing that is commonly referred to as a type of something; a byword.
3. (Proverbs) A book of the Old Testament made up of wise sayings.

Verb

1. To speak of proverbially; to make a byword of.

Word family

• proverbial

Related words

• maxim
• adage
• verb
• word

Usage notes

Random House distinguishes a proverb, a popular saying expressing common-sense truth, often metaphorically, from a maxim, a brief statement of a general truth that serves as a rule of conduct.^[6]

References

1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1992), 3rd ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin
3. ^ a b c d e f g h Barnhart, Robert K., ed. (1995), The Barnhart Concise Dictionary of Etymology, New York: HarperCollins
4. ^ a b c d e f g h i Harper, Douglas, Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
5. ^ a b c Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (2003), 11th ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
6. ^ a b c d Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (1999), 2nd ed., New York: Random House
7. ^ a b c d e f g Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press