fable

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   A fictitious narrative intended to enforce some useful truth or precept, usually with…

   A fictitious narrative intended to enforce some useful truth or precept, usually with animals, etc. as characters; an apologue. Prototypically, Aesop's Fables.

2. 2

   Any story told to excite wonder

   Any story told to excite wonder; common talk; the theme of talk.

   • But refuſe prophane and olde wiues fables, and exerciſe thy ſelfe rather vnto godlineſſe.
   • […]we grew / The fable of the city where we dwelt.
3. 3

   Fiction

   Fiction; untruth; falsehood.

   • I say it would look like a fable to report that this gentleman gives away all which is the overplus of a great fortune by secret methods to other men.
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   1. 4

      The plot, story, or connected series of events forming the subject of an epic or dramatic…

      The plot, story, or connected series of events forming the subject of an epic or dramatic poem.

      • For the moral (as Bossu observes,) is the first business of the poet, as being the groundwork of his instruction. This being formed, he contrives such a design, or fable, as may be most suitable to the moral;
   2. 5

      To compose fables

      To compose fables; hence, to write or speak fiction; to write or utter what is not true.

      • He Fables not, I heare the enemie: / Out ſome light Horſemen, and peruſe their Wings.
      • Vain now the Tales which fab’ling Poets tell, / That wav’ring Conqueſt ſtill deſires to rove; / In Marlbrô’s Camp the Goddeſs knows to dwell: / Long as the Hero’s Life remains her Love.
      • 1852, Matthew Arnold, Empedocles on Etna, Act II, in Empedocles on Etna and Other Poems, London: B. Fellowes, p. 50, He fables, yet speaks truth.
   3. 6

      To make up

      To make up; to devise, and speak of, as true or real; to tell of falsely; to recount in the form of a fable.

      • […] erre not that ſo ſhall end / The ſtrife of Glorie: which we mean to win, / Or turn this Heav’n itſelf into the Hell / Thou fableſt […]
      • THE Poets Fable, That Apollo being enamoured of Caſſandra, was by her many ſhifts and cunning ſlights ſtill deluded in his Deſire […]
      • Fabled by the daughters of memory. And yet it was in some way if not as memory fabled it. A phrase, then, of impatience, thud of Blake’s wings of excess.

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