fa|ble

fa|ble «FAY buhl», noun, verb, -bled, -bling.

–n.

1. a story that is made up to teach a lesson. Fables are often about animals who can talk, as in The Hare and the Tortoise and The Fox and the Crow. SYNONYM(S): apologue.

2. an untrue story; falsehood; fabrication: »

What is said…on this subject in the Courier d'Europe is entirely fable (Thomas Jefferson).

3. legend or myth: »

Greek fable.

4. the plot of a drama or epic poem.

–v.i.

1. to tell or write fables: »

Vain now the tales which fabling poets tell (Matthew Prior).

2. to tell false stories; lie.

–v.t.

1. to make up falsely; fabricate: »

I fabled nothing fair, But…told her all (Tennyson).

2. to tell or represent in a fable: »

I pray you sit not fabling here old tales (Ben Jonson).

╂[< Old French fable < Latin fābula narrative, tale < fārī speak

Usage See allegory for usage note. (Cf. ↑allegory)