Search Result for "proverbial": 
Wordnet 3.0

ADJECTIVE (2)

1. of or relating to or resembling or expressed in a proverb;
- Example: "he kicked the proverbial bucket"
- Example: "the proverbial grasshopper"

2. widely known and spoken of;
- Example: "her proverbial lateness"
- Example: "the proverbial absentminded professor"
- Example: "your proverbial dizzy blonde"



The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Proverbial \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.
      [1913 Webster]

            In case of excesses, I take the German proverbial
            cure, by a hair of the same beast, to be the worst.
                                                  --Sir W.
                                                  Temple.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Of or pertaining to proverbs; resembling a proverb. "A
      proverbial obscurity." --Sir T. Browne.
      [1913 Webster]


WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

proverbial
    adj 1: of or relating to or resembling or expressed in a
           proverb; "he kicked the proverbial bucket"; "the
           proverbial grasshopper"
    2: widely known and spoken of; "her proverbial lateness"; "the
       proverbial absentminded professor"; "your proverbial dizzy
       blonde"