PROVERB'IAL,adjective Mentioned in a proverb; as a proverbial cure or remedy. In case of excesses, I take the German proverbial cure, by a hair of the same beast, to be the worst in the world. 1. Comprised in a proverb; used or current as a proverb; as a proverbial saying or speech. 2. Pertaining to proverbs; resembling a proverb; suitable to a proverb; as a proverbial obscurity.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI