Pro*ver"bi*al (?), a. [L. proverbialis: cf. F. proverbial.]
1.
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.
2.
Of or pertaining to proverbs; resembling a proverb.
"A
proverbial obscurity."
Sir T. Browne.
© Webster 1913.