Persian Proverbs: Definitions and Characteristics

Abstract

An important factor in the recognition of Persian proverbs and realization of their differences with other nations' proverbs is giving a bright and all-embracing definition of Persian proverbs. The existing definitions are not expansive enough. Focusing on the existing definitions, and upon extensive study of the proverbs, the present article attempts to offer a scientific and all-embracing definition referring to the Persian proverbs' every property. In this article, we first deal with lexical meaning and roots of proverbs, then in the idiomatic definition section, analyzing 38 definitions from Arab, Persian and Western scholars and the definitions relying on the existing proverbs, reach the following full-scale definition.