Meaning

A fictitious narrative intended to enforce some useful truth or precept, usually with animals, etc. as characters; an apologue. Prototypically, Aesop's Fables..

Definitions by Sense

1. A fictitious narrative intended to enforce some useful truth or precept, usually with animals, etc. as characters; an apologue. Prototypically, Aesop's Fables.
2. Any story told to excite wonder; common talk; the theme of talk.
3. Fiction; untruth; falsehood.
4. The plot, story, or connected series of events forming the subject of an epic or dramatic poem.
5. (intransitive, archaic) To compose fables; hence, to write or speak fiction; to write or utter what is not true.
6. (transitive, archaic) To make up; to devise, and speak of, as true or real; to tell of falsely; to recount in the form of a fable.

Example Sentences

But refuſe prophane and olde wiues fables, and exerciſe thy ſelfe rather vnto godlineſſe.

[…]we grew / The fable of the city where we dwelt.

I say it would look like a fable to report that this gentleman gives away all which is the overplus of a great fortune by secret methods to other men.

For the moral (as Bossu observes,) is the first business of the poet, as being the groundwork of his instruction. This being formed, he contrives such a design, or fable, as may be most suitable to the moral;

1852, Matthew Arnold, Empedocles on Etna, Act II, in Empedocles on Etna and Other Poems, London: B. Fellowes, p. 50, He fables, yet speaks truth.

He Fables not, I heare the enemie: / Out ſome light Horſemen, and peruſe their Wings.

Vain now the Tales which fab’ling Poets tell, / That wav’ring Conqueſt ſtill deſires to rove; / In Marlbrô’s Camp the Goddeſs knows to dwell: / Long as the Hero’s Life remains her Love.

[…] erre not that ſo ſhall end / The ſtrife of Glorie: which we mean to win, / Or turn this Heav’n itſelf into the Hell / Thou fableſt […]

Word Forms

• fables
• fabling
• fabled

Synonyms for fable

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When Should You Use Fable?

Use fable when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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