- a short popular saying, usually of unknown and ancient origin, that expresses effectively some commonplace truth or useful thought; adage; saw.
- a wise saying or precept; a didactic sentence.
- a person or thing that is commonly regarded as an embodiment or representation of some quality; byword.
- a profound saying, maxim, or oracular utterance requiring interpretation.
- to utter in the form of a proverb.
- to make (something) the subject of a proverb.
- to make a byword of.
- a word that can substitute for a verb or verb phrase, as do in They never attend board meetings, but we do regularly.
- a short, memorable, and often highly condensed saying embodying, esp with bold imagery, some commonplace fact or experience
- a person or thing exemplary in respect of a characteristic
- a wise saying or admonition providing guidance
- to utter or describe (something) in the form of a proverb
- to make (something) a proverb
