Fable (fāb'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.
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Jotham's fable of the trees is the oldest extant. Addison.
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A fable may have talking animals anthropomorphically cast as humans representing different character types, sometimes illustrating some moral principle; as, Aesop's Fables.
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2. The plot, story, or connected series of events, forming the subject of an epic or dramatic poem.
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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.
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3. Any story told to excite wonder; common talk; the theme of talk. “Old wives' fables. ” 1 Tim. iv. 7.
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We grew
The fable of the city where we dwelt. Tennyson.
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4. Fiction; untruth; falsehood.
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It would look like a fable to report that this gentleman gives away a great fortune by secret methods. Addison.
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Fable, v. t. To feign; to invent; to devise, and speak of, as true or real; to tell of falsely.
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The hell thou fablest. Milton.
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