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Webster 1913 Edition

Fable

Fa′ble

(fā′b’l)
,
Noun.
[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
.
Jotham’s
fable
of the trees is the oldest extant.
Addison.
2.
The plot, story, or connected series of events, forming the subject of an epic or dramatic poem.
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.
3.
Any story told to excite wonder; common talk; the theme of talk.
“Old wives' fables. ”
1 Tim. iv. 7.
We grew
The
fable
of the city where we dwelt.
Tennyson.
4.
Fiction; untruth; falsehood.
It would look like a
fable
to report that this gentleman gives away a great fortune by secret methods.
Addison.

Fa′ble

,
Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Fabled
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Fabling
.]
To compose fables; hence, to write or speak fiction ; to write or utter what is not true.
“He Fables not.”
Shak.
Vain now the tales which
fabling
poets tell.
Prior.
He
fables
, yet speaks truth.
M. Arnold.

Fa′ble

,
Verb.
T.
To feign; to invent; to devise, and speak of, as true or real; to tell of falsely.
The hell thou
fablest
.
Milton.

Webster 1828 Edition

Fable

FABLE

,
Noun.
[L., Gr. The radical sense is that which is spoken or told.]
1.
A feigned story or tale, intended to instruct or amuse; a fictitious narration intended to enforce some useful truth or precept.
Jothams fable of the trees is the oldest extant, and as beautiful as any made since.
2.
Fiction in general; as, the story is all a fable.
3.
An idle story; vicious or vulgar fictions.
But refuse profane and old wives fables. 1 Timothy 4.
4.
The plot, or connected series of events, in an epic or dramatic poem.
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.
5.
Falsehood; a softer term for a lie.

FABLE

, v.i.
1.
To feign; to write fiction.
Vain now the tales which fabling poets tell.
2.
To tell falsehoods; as, he fables not.

FABLE

,
Verb.
T.
To feign; to invent; to devise and speak of, as true or real.
The hell thou fablest.

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