Word Direct Answers

What does "fable" mean?

Fable: 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.

Additional senses

  1. 2.Any story told to excite wonder; common talk; the theme of talk. "Old wives' fables. " 1 Tim. iv.
  2. 3.We grew The fable of the city where we dwelt. Tennyson.
  3. 4.Fiction; untruth; falsehood. It would look like a fable to report that this gentleman gives away a great fortune by secret methods. Addison.
  4. 5.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.
  5. 6.To fiegn; to invent; to devise, and speak of, as true or real; to tell of falsely. The hell thou fablest. Milton.

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