Lexical Definition

‎παροιμία‎ paroimía (par-oy-mee'-ah) proverb ^G:N-F
from a compound of ‎παρά‎ and perhaps a derivative of ‎οἴομαι‎

parable, proverb.

• apparently a state alongside of supposition, i.e. (concretely) an adage
• specially, an enigmatical or fictitious illustration

Abbott-Smith

παροιμία, -ας, ἡ (< πάροιμος, by the way), [in LXX. Pr tit 1:1 25:1, (מָשָׁל) subscr., Si 6:35 8:8 18:29 39:3 47:17*;]
1. a wayside saying (Hesych.; v. LS, s.v.), a byword, maxim, proverb: II Pe 2:22.
2. In NT, of figurative discourse (as מָשָׁל, Is 14:4, al.), a parable, allegory: Jo 10:6 16:25, 29 (v. Abbott, Essays, 82 ff.).†
SYN.: παραβολή, q.v.

Abbott-Smith References

Liddell-Scott-Jones

παροιμία-ία, ἡ,

proverb, maxim, saw, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; κατὰ τὴν π. as the saying goes, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; καθάπερ ἡ π.[Refs 5th c.BC+]: in plural, of the Proverbs of Solomon, LXX

__2 figure, comparison, [NT]
__3 digression, incidental remark, [Refs 3rd c.BC+]

_{LSJ Scripture Refs: John.10.6}