Etymologically
Log in

proverbium

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 15 October 2026 at 20:51. This address is a permanent link to this version.
Changes in this edit History

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [proːˈwɛr.bi.ũː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [proˈvɛr.bi.um][1]

Forms

prōverbium n (genitive prōverbiī or prōverbī); second declension[1]

Etymology

It is formed from prō-, verbum “word” and -ium.[2][1] Etymonline renders it literally “words put forward”.[3] Verbum is *werþo- (“word”), from Proto-Indo-European *uerh₁-dʰh₁-o- (“making a statement”).[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Cicero (81–43 BC).[5] Cicero writes of “that proverb now worn with use”.[6][7]

Semantic evolution

It meant a proverb, saying, maxim or adage.[2][1] Phrases include Cicero's in proverbii consuetudinem venire and Livy's in proverbium venire, “to become proverbial”, and Pliny's in proverbium cedere.[7][8] Cicero also notes what was a proverb among the Greeks.[8]

In Christian and medieval Latin it also meant a parable, riddle or simile.[9][5] The Old Testament book of Proverbs gave English proverb around 1300.[3]

Timeline

  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of a worn proverb.[6][5]
  • 59 BC–17 AD – Livy has in proverbium venire.[8][5]
  • c. 1300 – English proverb is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. A proverb, saying, maxim, adage.[2][1]
  2. (Christian Latin) A parable, riddle, simile.[9][5]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
  5. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  6. ^ a b Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  7. ^ a b Georges, Karl Ernst (1913–1918), Ausführliches lateinisch-deutsches Handwörterbuch, 8th ed., ed. Heinrich Georges, Hannover; Leipzig: Hahn
  8. ^ a b c Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  9. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill