GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 3 definitions

1.       
   Fable , n. [F., fr. L. fabula, fr. fari to speak, say. See Ban, and cf. Fabulous, Fame.]
   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
     A fable may have talking animals anthropomorphically cast as humans representing different character types, sometimes illustrating some moral principle; as, Aesop's Fables.
   PJC
   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.
   
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   Any story told to excite wonder; common talk; the theme of talk. “Old wives' fables. ”  
   1 Tim. iv. 7.
   
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   We grew
   The fable of the city where we dwelt.
   Tennyson.
   
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   Fiction; untruth; falsehood.
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   It would look like a fable to report that this gentleman gives away a great fortune by secret methods.
   Addison.
   
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2.       
   Fable, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Fabled ; p. pr. & vb. n. Fabling .] To compose fables; hence, to write or speak fiction ; to write or utter what is not true. “He Fables not.”  
   Shak.
   
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   Vain now the tales which fabling poets tell.
   Prior.
   
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   He fables, yet speaks truth.
   M. Arnold.
   
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3.       
   Fable, v. t. To feign; to invent; to devise, and speak of, as true or real; to tell of falsely.
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   The hell thou fablest.
   Milton.
   
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