prəˈvərbēəl, -və̄b-, -vəib- adjective
Etymology: Latin proverbialis, from proverbium proverb + -alis -al — more at proverb
1. : of, relating to, or resembling a proverb
the proverbial style
proverbial wisdom
proverbial comparisons
2. : that has become a proverb or byword : commonly spoken of
the proverbial restlessness of sailors — Herman Melville
• pro·ver·bi·al·ly -ēəlē, -li adverb