byeword

Real del Monte with its remarkable metallurgical achievements is a byeword in the annals of silver.

Mexico Its Ancient and Modern Civilisation, History, Political Conditions, Topography, Natural Resources, Industries and General Development Martin [Editor] Hume 1919

Their single-minded, unremitting zeal during this period presents none of those striking situations which constitute the framework of history; it was only when the day of active persecution later called for martyrs, and thousands of Annamites — a race whose name has become a byeword for fickleness — gladly laid down their lives for the Faith, that we recognize how exceedingly fruitful had been the ministry of those hidden apostles.

The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 7: Gregory XII-Infallability 1840-1916 1913

Crusades, when the service of the Holy Sepulchre had become a legend, and the name of Crusade a byeword for whatever enterprises are most impractical and visionary, the answer must be, that they affected Europe chiefly in a negative sense and through indirect channels.

Medieval Europe 1901

But the influence which perverted the judgement of these Emperors, until they became a byeword in Europe, was something more impalpable than the will-force of a domineering woman.

Medieval Europe 1901

Tartar race -- nomads who lived by hunting and war, skilled in horsemanship and archery, utterly barbarous and a byeword for cruelty.

Medieval Europe 1901

Had she not seen me persecuted, tormented -- the byeword, the laughing-stock for the offals of Falmouth town?

The Birthright Joseph Hocking 1898

Vacant congregations desiring a list of candidates made one exception, and prayed that Jeremiah should not be let loose upon them, till at last it came home to the unfortunate scholar himself that he was an offence and a byeword.

Kate Carnegie and Those Ministers Ian Maclaren 1878

But while memory whispered of past innocence, conscience told him of present guilt; told him that if his father could have foreseen what he would become, his heart would have broken; told him, and he knew it, that his name was a proverb and a byeword in the school.

St. Winifred's, or The World of School 1867

But just as the house was recovering lost ground, and had ceased to be quite a byeword in the school, it was thrown into consternation by a long-continued series of petty thefts.

St. Winifred's, or The World of School 1867

The thing has long been a byeword, though his wife knew nothing of it -- but she knows it now.

The Poor Plutocrats M��r J��kai 1864