byspel

Meaning

An example.

Synonyms

expression

adage

aphorism

idiom

maxim

proverb

saying

Translations

مَثَلٌ

aforisme

proverbi

dita

refrany

adagi

Aphorismus

Denkspruch

Redewendung

Sentenz

Sprichwort

Spruch

απόφθεγμα

ιδίωμα

حكمة

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: byspel

Inherited from Old English: biġspel

Cognate with Scots: byspel

Cognate with Saterland Frisian: Biespil

Cognate with Middle Dutch: bijspel

Cognate with German: Beispiel

In summary

From Middle English byspel, bispel, from Old English biġspel, bīspel (“a proverb; pattern; example”), equivalent to by- + spell (“talk, saying, discourse, story”). Compare Scots byspel (“byword; rarety; outcast”), Saterland Frisian Biespil (“example; pattern”), Middle Dutch bijspel (“proverb; parable”), German Low German Bispill (“example”), German Beispiel (“example”).