English Dictionary

Definition of “fable”

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fable (ˈfeɪbəllPronunciation for fable) 

Definitions

noun

  1. a short moral story, esp one with animals as characters
  2. a false, fictitious, or improbable account; fiction or lie
  3. a story or legend about supernatural or mythical characters or events
  4. legends or myths collectively  related adjective fabulous
  5. archaic the plot of a play or of an epic or dramatic poem

verb

  1. to relate or tell (fables)
  2. (intr) to speak untruthfully; tell lies
  3. (tr) to talk about or describe in the manner of a fable  ⇒ ghosts are fabled to appear at midnight 

Alternative Forms

ˈfabler noun

Word Origin

C13: from Latin fābula  story, narrative, from fārī to speak, say

Usage examples

  • Both of them say the story Tom told about Olly's seven questions was a-- a-- ' `A fable ?
    Tepper, Sheri S., A Plague of Angels (1993)
  • There is the bitterness of knowledge when she says that a "woman wants to be held as a warm creature not a fable ".
    Outlook India (2005)
  • But like the fable of the tortoise and the hare, Edmonton's exoskeleton shouldn't fool anyone.
    Globe and Mail (2003)
  • Full of striking landscapes and shock revelations, Mann's cruel fable is part stark morality play and part merciless revenge saga.
    Times, Sunday Times (2002)
  • We hope this material will enable readers to reach their own decision on whether reincarnation is fact or fable.
    Arthur Berger & Joyce Berger, Reincarnation - Fact or Fable? (1991)

Commonness

All English words that begin with 'F'

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