apparently a state alongside of supposition that is (concretely) an adage; specifically an enigmatical or fictitious illustration

1. a saying out of the usual course or deviating from the usual manner of speaking

a. a current or trite saying, a proverb

2. any dark saying which shadows forth some didactic truth

a. esp. a symbolic or figurative saying

b. speech or discourse in which a thing is illustrated by the use of similes and comparisons

c. an allegory

1. extended and elaborate metaphor