proverbial

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   Used before a word from a well-known saying or metaphor to show you are not speaking literally.

   After months of saving, they finally found the proverbial pot of gold.

2. 2
   adj

   Widely known and often talked about; famous.

   The proverbial lateness of the students annoyed the teachers.

3. 3
   adj

   Of or expressed as a proverb.

   The busyness of the beaver is proverbial.

From Latin prōverbiālis, equivalent to proverb + -ial

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