Fa"ble (?), n. [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.
© Webster 1913.
Fa"ble, v. 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.
© Webster 1913.
Fa"ble, v. t.
To fiegn; to invent; to devise, and speak of, as true or real; to tell of falsely.
The hell thou fablest.
Milton.
© Webster 1913.