Ad"age (#), n. [F. adage, fr. L. adagium; ad + the root of L. aio I say.]
An old saying, which has obtained credit by long use; a proverb.
Letting "I dare not" wait upon "I would,"
Like the poor cat i' the adage.
Shak.
Syn. -- Axiom; maxim; aphorism; proverb; saying; saw; apothegm. See Axiom.
© Webster 1913.