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Definitions for: Fable
[n] a story about mythical or supernatural beings or events
[n] a short moral story (often with animal characters)
[n] a deliberately false or improbable account
Webster (1913) Definition: 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.
Jotham's fable of the trees is the oldest extant.
--Addison.
2. The plot, story, or connected series of events, forming
the subject of an epic or dramatic poem.
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.
3. Any story told to excite wonder; common talk; the theme of
talk. ``Old wives' fables. '' --1 Tim. iv. 7.
We grew The fable of the city where we dwelt.
--Tennyson.
4. Fiction; untruth; falsehood.
It would look like a fable to report that this
gentleman gives away a great fortune by secret
methods. --Addison.
Fa"ble, 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.
Vain now the tales which fabling poets tell. --Prior.
He fables, yet speaks truth. --M. Arnold.
Fa"ble, v. t.
To feign; to invent; to devise, and speak of, as true or
real; to tell of falsely.
The hell thou fablest. --Milton.
Synonyms: allegory, apologue, fabrication, fiction, legend, parable
See Also: Aesop's fables, Arthurian legend, canard, false statement, falsehood, falsity, story, untruth
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