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One who, or that which, proves.

a; a parable. His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb. John xvi. 29.

Mentioned or comprised in a proverb; used as a proverb; hence, commonly known; as, a proverbial expression; his meanness was proverbial. In case of excesses, I take the German proverbial cure, by a hair of the same beast, to be the worst. Sir W. Temple.

A proverbial phrase.

One who makes much use of proverbs in speech or writing; one who composes, collects, or studies proverbs.

To turn into a proverb; to speak in proverbs.

In a proverbial manner; by way of proverb; hence, commonly; universally; as, it is proverbially said; the bee is proverbially busy.

One who approves. Formerly, one who made proof or trial.

One who disapproves.

One who disproves or confutes.

One who, or that which, improves.

One who, or that which, reproves.

An old saying, which has obtained credit by long use; a proverb. Letting "I dare not" wait upon "I would," Like the poor cat i' the adage. Shak.

Pertaining to an adage; proverbial. "Adagial verse." Barrow.

An approver or abettor. [Obs.]

of a felon at common law by one of his accomplices, which accomplice was then called an approver. See Approvement. Tomlins. Bouvier.

An elementary principle or maximum; a short, proverbial rule, in law, ethics, or metaphysics. The legal brocard, "Falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus," is a rule not more applicable to other witness than to consciousness. Sir W. Hamilton.

A blockhead; a dunce. It is common, to a proverb, to call one who can not be taught, or who continues obstinately ignorant, a buzzard. Goldsmith.

A proverb. [Obs.]

A common saying; a proverb; a saying that has a general currency. I knew a wise man that had it for a byword. Bacon.