/ prəˈvɜːbiəl; NAmE -ˈvɜːrb-/ adjective
1.
[ only before noun ] used to show that you are referring to a particular proverb or well-known phrase :
Let's not count our proverbial chickens.
2.
[ not usually before noun ] well known and talked about by a lot of people
SYN famous :
Their hospitality is proverbial.
► pro·verbi·al·ly / -biəli; NAmE / adverb
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Latin proverbialis , from proverbium , from pro- (put) forth + verbum word.