fable

fable is defined in Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (1913) with 6 senses, and appears in Roget's Thesaurus (1911) with 40 related terms. The full text of each entry is reproduced verbatim below.

Definitions

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

Source: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).

Synonyms

Related questions

Reverse-dictionary questions

Definition-first questions whose answer is fable.

Sources

  • Definitions: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).
  • Synonyms & antonyms: Roget's Thesaurus, 1911 edition (public domain, via Project Gutenberg eBook #10681).
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