- Fable
- Fable Fa"ble (f[=a]"b'l), n. [F., fr. L. fabula, fr. fari to
speak, say. See {Ban}, and cf. {Fabulous}, {Fame}.]
1. A Feigned story or tale, intended to instruct or amuse; a
fictitious narration intended to enforce some useful truth
or precept; an apologue. See the Note under {Apologue}.
[1913 Webster]
Jotham's fable of the trees is the oldest extant. --Addison. [1913 Webster]
Note: A fable may have talking animals anthropomorphically cast as humans representing different character types, sometimes illustrating some moral principle; as, Aesop's Fables. [PJC]
2. The plot, story, or connected series of events, forming the subject of an epic or dramatic poem. [1913 Webster]
The moral is the first business of the poet; this being formed, he contrives such a design or fable as may be most suitable to the moral. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
3. Any story told to excite wonder; common talk; the theme of talk. ``Old wives' fables. '' --1 Tim. iv. 7. [1913 Webster]
We grew The fable of the city where we dwelt. --Tennyson. [1913 Webster]
4. Fiction; untruth; falsehood. [1913 Webster]
It would look like a fable to report that this gentleman gives away a great fortune by secret methods. --Addison. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
