proverb
Definitions
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The mother shows the Book of Proverbs to her child -
WordNet 3.6
- n proverb a condensed but memorable saying embodying some important fact of experience that is taken as true by many people
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
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- Proverb A drama exemplifying a proverb.
- Proverb A familiar illustration; a subject of contemptuous reference. "Thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb , and a by word, among all nations."
- Proverb A striking or paradoxical assertion; an obscure saying; an enigma; a parable. "His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb ."
- Proverb An old and common saying; a phrase which is often repeated; especially, a sentence which briefly and forcibly expresses some practical truth, or the result of experience and observation; a maxim; a saw; an adage.
- Proverb To name in, or as, a proverb. "Am I not sung and proverbed for a fool ?"
- Proverb To provide with a proverb. "I am proverbed with a grandsire phrase."
- v. i Proverb To write or utter proverbs.
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Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
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- n proverb A short pithy sentence, often repeated colloquially, expressing a well-known truth or a common fact ascertained by experience or observation; a popular saying which briefly and forcibly expresses some practical precept; an adage; a wise saw: often set forth in the guise of metaphor and in the form of rime, and sometimes alliterative.
- n proverb A byword; a reproach; an object of scorn or derision.
- n proverb In Scripture, an enigmatical utterance; a mysterious or oracular saying that requires interpretation.
- n proverb plural [capitalized] One of the books of the Old Testament, following the Book of Psalms. The full title is Proverbs of Solomon (i. 1). It is a collection of the sayings of the sages of Israel, taking its full title from the chief among them, though it is by no means certain that he is the author of a majority of them. The original meaning of mashal, the Hebrew word translated ‘proverb,’ seems to be ‘a comparison.’ The term is sometimes translated ‘parable’ in our English Bible; but, as such comparisons were commonly made in the East by short and pithy sayings, the word came to be applied to these chiefly, though not exclusively. They formed one of the most characteristic features of Eastern literature.
- n proverb A dramatic composition in which some proverb or popular saying is taken as the foundation of the plot. Good examples are — “A Door must be either Open or Shut,” Alfred de Musset; “Still Water Runs Deep,” When such dramas are extemporized, as in private theatricals, the proverb employed is often withheld, to be guessed by the audience after the representation.
- n proverb Synonyms Axiom, Maxim, etc. See aphorism.
- proverb To utter in the form of a proverb; speak of proverbially; make a byword of.
- proverb To provide with a proverb.
- proverb To utter proverbs.
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Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary
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- n Proverb prov′ėrb a short familiar sentence expressing a well-known truth or moral lesson: a byword: :
- v.t Proverb to speak of proverbially: make a byword of: to provide with a proverb
- n Proverb prov′ėrb (B.) a difficult saying that requires explanation
- n Proverb prov′ėrb (pl.) a book of the Old Testament: a dramatic composition in which a proverb gives name and character to the plot
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Quotations
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“A fool think he needs no advice, but a wise man listens to others. [Proverbs 12:15]” -
“Scornful men bring a city into a snare, but wise men turn away wrath. [Proverbs 29:8]”
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“As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. [Proverbs 23:7]”
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“The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul. [Proverbs 13:19]”
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“The wise make proverbs, and fools repeat them.”
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“A friend loveth at all times. [Proverbs 17:17]”
Etymology
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
OE. proverbe, F. proverbe, from L. proverbium,; pro, before, for + verbum, a word. See Verb
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary
Fr. proverbe—L. proverbium—pro, publicly, verbum, a word.
Usage
In literature:
The best of all proverbs is, 'Never put off till to-morrow what you can do to-day.
"A Black Adonis" by Linn Boyd Porter
She thought of her uncle's sigh, and of his quaint proverb, and was silent.
"Jessie Carlton" by Francis Forrester
The proverb is right: 'It is only mountains that don't meet.
"The Conspirators" by Alexandre Dumas (Pere)
And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all the peoples whither the LORD shall lead thee away.
"Select Masterpieces of Biblical Literature" by Various
He gave his people three thousand proverbs.
"Little Folks (July 1884)" by Various
She is honest to a proverb, having never been known to take any thing belonging to another.
"Popular Education" by Ira Mayhew
The proverbs of India are full of these base insinuations concerning womanhood.
"India, Its Life and Thought" by John P. Jones
The ink of the Sepia has passed into a proverb.
"The Beauties of Nature" by Sir John Lubbock
The old proverb of the early bird that catches the worm is correct.
"Hollyhock" by L. T. Meade
Man proposes and God disposes, says the proverb.
"Blackwoods Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 59, No. 365, March, 1846" by Various
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In poetry:
Among mine enemies my name
Was a mere proverb grown,
While to my neighbors I became
Forgotten and unknown.
Was a mere proverb grown,
While to my neighbors I became
Forgotten and unknown.
"Psalm 31 part 2" by Isaac Watts
But she stuck to us still, like one of the Fates,
Snorting and creaking on, until
A sort of proverb grew up with our mates,
"Six hours behind time, like Jack and Bill."
Snorting and creaking on, until
A sort of proverb grew up with our mates,
"Six hours behind time, like Jack and Bill."
"Rid of His Engine" by Alexander Anderson
I ever am seeking my body's best welfare,
Yet it in return would my spirit undo.
Ah, truly the fruit of the tree in its root is,
The proverb "Like mother, like daughter" is true.
Yet it in return would my spirit undo.
Ah, truly the fruit of the tree in its root is,
The proverb "Like mother, like daughter" is true.
"My Soul Shall Declare" by Shlomo ibn Gabirol
Far-fetched and dear-bought, as the proverb rehearses,
Is good, or was held so, for ladies: but nought
In a song can be good if the turn of the verse is
Far-fetched and dear-bought.
Is good, or was held so, for ladies: but nought
In a song can be good if the turn of the verse is
Far-fetched and dear-bought.
"A Singing Lesson" by Algernon Charles Swinburne
Lobbin Clout.
As once I play'd at Blindman's-Buff, it hapt
About my eyes the towel thick was wrapt.
I miss'd the swains, and seiz'd on Blouzelind;
True speaks that ancient proverb, Love is blind.
As once I play'd at Blindman's-Buff, it hapt
About my eyes the towel thick was wrapt.
I miss'd the swains, and seiz'd on Blouzelind;
True speaks that ancient proverb, Love is blind.
"The Shepherd's Week : Monday; or the Squabble" by John Gay
"For, in whatever hand is might,"
The proverb says, "will conquer right;"
And though her hand was not divine,
Pain and submission must be mine.
She, after sixty years, ne'er thought
She'd nobly in a song be brought.
The proverb says, "will conquer right;"
And though her hand was not divine,
Pain and submission must be mine.
She, after sixty years, ne'er thought
She'd nobly in a song be brought.
"The Parrish Wedding" by William Hutton
In news:
During the subsequent 25% period of informal slavery there has been an expansion of the "Be Safe" proverbs of slavery to include those for mental encouragement.
A 1st grade school teacher presented each child in her classroom the 1st half of a well-known proverb and asked them to come up with the remainder of the proverb .
A 1st grade school teacher presented each child in her classroom the 1st half of a well-known proverb and asked them to come up with the remainder of the.
Bill Cole Proverbs for Sam Boxholder Records.
"I see that it lists more verses from Psalms and Proverbs," said Sharon looking at the page.
"From Proverbs 6," said John.
King Solomon noted that "reverencing God is the beginning of wisdom" (Proverbs 1:7).
You may have heard this Chinese proverb: give a man a fish and you have fed him today.
One Bay Area non-profit has taken that proverb to heart.
Uncle Joe Illustrates a Proverb.
That old proverb offers an apt reminder of the need for leadership in Memphis right now on the remarkable plan that can make Greater Memphis public schools truly great.
That attitude is explained by a pair of Arabic proverbs.
O n this long Thanksgiving weekend, I am thinking a lot about the old Hebrew proverb, "Jehovah Jireh," — "The Lord will provide.
If questioned, most people can usually remember at least one old weather proverb.
The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden will soon be putting its own spin on the "Waste not, want not" proverb.
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In science:
There is a Malayalam proverb, ”the lazy fellow will ultimately have to lift the mountain”.
Simple 8085 microprocessor compatible I/O card
This paper presents PROVERB a text planner for argumentative texts.
Planning Argumentative Texts
PROVERB´s main feature is that it combines global hierarchical planning and unplanned organization of text with respect to local derivation relations in a complementary way.
Planning Argumentative Texts
To test its feasibility, this computational model is implemented in a system called PROVERB .
Planning Argumentative Texts
The macroplanner of PROVERB combines hierarchical planning with local organization in a uniform planning framework.
Planning Argumentative Texts
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