I. An old saying, a saw, maxim, adage, proverb (class.; “syn. adagium): ex quo illud factum est jam tritum sermone proverbium, etc.,” Cic. Off. 1, 10, 33; cf. id. ib. 3, 19, 77: “in proverbii consuetudinem venire,” id. ib. 2, 15, 55: “illud in proverbium venit,” Liv. 40, 46: “quod est Graecis hominibus in proverbio,” Cic. Verr. 2, 1, 20, § 53; id. Or. 70, 235: “quod proverbii loco dici solet,” id. Phil. 13, 12, 27: “proverbii locum obtinere,” id. Tusc. 4, 16, 36: “vulgare,” id. Fam. 10, 20, 2: “acta agimus, quod vetamur veteri proverbio,” id. Lael. 22, 85: “ut proverbium loquitur vetus,” Amm. 14, 11, 12.—In plur.: “in communibus proverbiis,” Cic. Verr. 2, 1, 46, § 121: “proverbia opportune aptata,” Quint. 6, 3, 97. —
II. A byword, a subject of contemptuous reference (post-class.): “et eris perditus in proverbium,” Vulg. Deut. 28, 37; id. 3 Reg. 9, 7.
