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Moral vs Proverbial - What's the difference?

moral | proverbial |

As nouns the difference between moral and proverbial

is that moral is moral while proverbial is (euphemistic) used to replace a word that might be considered unacceptable in a particular situation, when using a well-known phrase.

As an adjective proverbial is

of, resembling, or expressed as a proverb, , fable, or fairy tale.

moral

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Of or relating to principles of right and wrong in behaviour, especially for teaching right behaviour.
  • * Nathaniel Hawthorne
    • She had wandered without rule or guidance in a moral wilderness.
  • Conforming to a standard of right behaviour; sanctioned by or operative on one's conscience or ethical judgment.
  • * Sir M. Hale
    • the wiser and more moral part of mankind
  • *
    • , title=(The Celebrity), chapter=1 , passage=The stories did not seem to me to touch life. They were plainly intended to have a bracing moral effect, and perhaps had this result for the people at whom they were aimed. They left me with the impression of a well-delivered stereopticon lecture, with characters about as life-like as the shadows on the screen, and whisking on and off, at the mercy of the operator.}}
  • Capable of right and wrong action.
  • Probable but not proved.
  • Positively affecting the mind, confidence, or will.

    • Synonyms

    * (conforming to a standard of right behaviour) ethical, incorruptible, noble, righteous, virtuous * (probable but not proved) virtual

    Antonyms

    * immoral, amoral, non-moral, unmoral

    Derived terms

    * moral compass * moral high ground * moral minimum

    Related terms

    * morale * morality * moralize * morals * mores

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (of a narrative) The ethical significance or practical lesson.
    • The moral of the (The Boy Who Cried Wolf) is that if you repeatedly lie, people won't believe you when you tell the truth.
  • * Macaulay
    • We protest against the principle that the world of pure comedy is one into which no moral enters.
  • Moral practices or teachings: modes of conduct.
  • (obsolete) A morality play.

    • Synonyms

    * (moral practices or teachings) ethics, mores

    Hyponyms

    * golden rule

    External links

    * * *

    Anagrams

    * ----

    proverbial

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Of, resembling, or expressed as a proverb, , fable, or fairy tale.
  • * 1947 , ( transcript):
    • Doris: You're making me feel like the proverbial stepmother.
  • Widely known; famous; stereotypical.
    • I grew up in a prefab house on Main Street in 1950s suburbia, the second and last child of a proverbial nuclear family.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (euphemistic) Used to replace a word that might be considered unacceptable in a particular situation, when using a well-known phrase.
    • I think we should be prepared in case the proverbial hits the fan.
  • (euphemistic) The groin or the testicles.