English

Noun

parable ‎(plural parables)

1. A short narrative illustrating a lesson (usually religious/moral) by comparison or analogy

   In the New Testament the parables told by Jesus convey His message, as in "The parable of the prodigal son"

   Catholic sermons normally draw on at least one Biblical lecture, often parables.

Related terms

• palaver
• parabola
• parabole
• parole

Translations

See also

• fable
• allegory
• pericope
• simile

Verb

parable ‎(third-person singular simple present parables, present participle parabling, simple past and past participle parabled)

1. (transitive) To represent by parable.

   Which by the ancient sages was thus parabled. — Milton.

Etymology 2

From Latin parābilis, from parāre ‎(“to prepare, procure”).

Adjective

parable ‎(comparative more parable, superlative most parable)

1. (obsolete) That can easily be prepared or procured; obtainable.
   • 1621, Robert Burton, The Anatomy of Melancholy, vol.1, New York Review of Books, 2001, p.306:

     The most parable and easy, and about which many are employed, is to teach a school, turn lecturer or curate [...].

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Sir Thomas Browne to this entry?)

Anagrams

• rapable

French

Etymology

Ultimately from Latin parare ‎(“to ward off”)

Adjective

parable m, f ‎(plural parables)

1. preventable (able to be or fit to be prevented)

Related terms

• parade
• parer (verb)

Anagrams

• palabre