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What is the difference between maxim and proverb?

maxim | proverb | Synonyms |

Proverb is a synonym of maxim.



As nouns the difference between maxim and proverb

is that maxim is a self-evident axiom or premise; a pithy expression of a general principle or rule while proverb is a phrase expressing a basic truth which may be applied to common situations.

As a proper noun Maxim

is the Maxim gun, a British machine gun of various calibres used by the British army from 1889 until World War I.

As a verb proverb is

to write or utter proverbs.

maxim

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A self-evident axiom or premise; a pithy expression of a general principle or rule.
  • A precept; a succinct statement or observation of a rule of conduct or moral teaching.
  • * 1776 , , Wealth of Nations , page 768:
    • In every age and country of the world men must have attended to the characters, designs, and actions of one another, and many reputable rules and maxims for the conduct of human life, must have been laid down and approved of by common consent.

    Synonyms

    * aphorism, cliche enthymeme, proverb, saying * See also

    See also

    * adage * aphorism * apophthegm ----

    proverb

    English

    (wikipedia proverb)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A phrase expressing a basic truth which may be applied to common situations.
  • A striking or paradoxical assertion; an obscure saying; an enigma; a parable.
  • * Bible, John xvi. 29
    • His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb .
  • A familiar illustration; a subject of contemptuous reference.
  • * Bible, Deuteronomy xxviii. 37
    • Thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb , and a by word, among all nations.
  • A drama exemplifying a proverb.

    • Synonyms

    * (phrase expressing a basic truth) adage, apothegm, byword, maxim, paroemia, saw, saying, sententia * See also

    Derived terms

    * proverbial * proverbiology * proverbs hunt in pairs

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To write or utter proverbs.
  • To name in, or as, a proverb.
  • * 1671 , John Milton, Samson Agonistes , lines 203-205:
    • Am I not sung and proverbed for a fool / In every street, do they not say, "How well / Are come upon him his deserts?"
  • To provide with a proverb.
  • * Shakespeare
    • I am proverbed with a grandsire phrase.
    (Webster 1913)

    See also

    * ----