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Proverbial

adj, noun

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Of, resembling, or expressed as a proverb, cliché, fable, or fairy tale.

    "The busyness of a beaver is proverbial."

  2. 2
    Optionally placed before an element of a well-known proverb or metaphor to emphasize that the element is not being used in a literal sense (see Usage notes below)

    "the proverbial smoking gun"

  3. 3
    Widely known; famous; stereotypical.

    "I grew up in a prefab house on Main Street in 1950s suburbia, the second and last child of a proverbial nuclear family."

Adjective
  1. 1
    widely known and spoken of wordnet
  2. 2
    of or relating to or resembling or expressed in a proverb wordnet
Noun
  1. 1
    Used to replace a word that might be considered unacceptable in a particular situation, when using a well-known phrase. euphemistic

    "I think we should be prepared in case the proverbial hits the fan."

  2. 2
    The groin or the testicles. euphemistic, in-plural

    "You'll find they've got you by the proverbials."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Latin prōverbiālis, equivalent to proverb + -ial

Etymology 2

From Latin prōverbiālis, equivalent to proverb + -ial

See also for "proverbial"

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