In 1884, Angelo Moriondo of Turin, Italy, demonstrated the first working example of an espresso machine.
PROVERBIAL
proverbial
(adjective) widely known and spoken of; “her proverbial lateness”; “the proverbial absentminded professor”; “your proverbial dizzy blonde”
proverbial
(adjective) of or relating to or resembling or expressed in a proverb; “he kicked the proverbial bucket”; “the proverbial grasshopper”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Adjective
proverbial (comparative more proverbial, superlative most proverbial)
Of, resembling, or expressed as a proverb, cliché, fable, or fairy tale.
Not used in a literal sense, but as the subject of a well-known metaphor.
Widely known; famous; stereotypical.
Noun
proverbial (plural proverbials)
(euphemistic) Used to replace a word that might be considered unacceptable in a particular situation, when using a well-known phrase.
(euphemistic) The groin or the testicles.
Source: Wiktionary
Pro*ver"bi*al, a. Etym: [L. proverbialis: cf. F. proverbial.]
1. Mentioned or comprised in a proverb; used as a proverb; hence, commonly known; as, a proverbial expression; his meanness was proverbial. In case of excesses, I take the German proverbial cure, by a hair of the same beast, to be the worst. Sir W. Temple.
2. Of or pertaining to proverbs; resembling a proverb. "A proverbial obscurity." Sir T. Browne.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Word of the Day
9 January 2025
PRESENTATION
(noun) (obstetrics) position of the fetus in the uterus relative to the birth canal; “Cesarean sections are sometimes the result of abnormal presentations”
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