English

Etymology

French, from Latin fabula , from fari to speak, say. See Ban, and compare fabulous, fame.

Noun

1. A feigned story or tale, intended to instruct or amuse; a fictitious narration intended to enforce some useful truth or precept ; an apologue.

   Quotations

   • Jotham's fable of the trees is the oldest extant. - Joseph Addison .

2. The plot, story, or connected series of events, forming the subject of an epic or dramatic poem.

   Quotations

   • 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. - John Dryden .

3. Any story told to excite wonder; common talk; the theme of talk.

   Quotations

   • Old wives' fables. - 1 Timothy 4:7
   • We grew The fable of the city where we dwelt. - Alfred Tennyson .

4. Fiction; untruth ; falsehood.

   Quotations

   • It would look like a fable to report that this gentleman gives away a great fortune by secret methods. - Joseph Addison.

Translations

• Danish: fabelc
• Twi: anansesem
• Kyerepon: anansesem

Intransitive verb

Past tense and past participle Fabled
Present participle and verbal noun Fabling

1. To compose fables ; hence, to write or speak fiction ; to write or utter what is not true.

   Quotations

   • He Fables not. - Shakespeare, 1 Henry VI, IV-ii.
   • Vain now the tales which fabling poets tell. - Matthew Prior
   • He fables, yet speaks truth. - Matthew Arnold .

Translations

• Danish: fable

Transitive verb

1. To feign; to invent; to devise , and speak of, as true or real; to tell of falsely .

   Quotations

   • The hell thou fablest. - John Milton .

Translations

• Danish: fabulere