proverbially

proverbially

English

Etymology

Etymology tree
English proverbial
Proto-Indo-European *leyg-
Proto-Germanic *līkąder.
Proto-Germanic *-līkaz
Proto-Germanic *-ê
Proto-Germanic *-līkê
Old English -līċe
Middle English -ly
English -ly
English proverbially

    From proverbial + -ly.

    Adverb

    proverbially (comparative more proverbially, superlative most proverbially)

    1. In a manner that uses proverbs; in or according to proverbs.
      The bee is a proverbially busy creature.
      • 1913, Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Return of Tarzan, New York: Ballantine Books, published 1963, page 33:
        “Unless I am gravely in error you are yourself a very brave man, and brave men are proverbially magnanimous.”
    2. In a manner reminiscent of a proverb.
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