prōverbĭum (noun N) : pro-verbum.
* An old saying, a saw, maxim, adage, proverb (class.; syn. adagium): ex quo illud factum est jam tritum sermone proverbium, etc.,Cic. Off. 1, 10, 33; cf. id. ib. 3, 19, 77: in proverbii consuetudinem venire,id. ib. 2, 15, 55: illud in proverbium venit,Liv. 40, 46: quod est Graecis hominibus in proverbio,Cic. Verr. 2, 1, 20, § 53; id. Or. 70, 235: quod proverbii loco dici solet,id. Phil. 13, 12, 27: proverbii locum obtinere,id. Tusc. 4, 16, 36: vulgare,id. Fam. 10, 20, 2: acta agimus, quod vetamur veteri proverbio,id. Lael. 22, 85: ut proverbium loquitur vetus,Amm. 14, 11, 12.—In plur.: in communibus proverbiis,Cic. Verr. 2, 1, 46, § 121: proverbia opportune aptata,Quint. 6, 3, 97.
* A byword, a subject of contemptuous reference (post-class.): et eris perditus in proverbium,Vulg. Deut. 28, 37; id. 3 Reg. 9, 7.

s. TLL