English Lexicon

Fable

/ˈfeɪ.bəl/
nounCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #1500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    A short story, typically with animals as characters, conveying a moral.

    "The tortoise and the hare is a classic fable that teaches the value of perseverance."
  2. 2

    A narrative that is not based on fact, often used to illustrate a moral lesson.

    "The fable of the boy who cried wolf warns against lying."

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Synonyms (3)
Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The word 'fable' originates from the Latin 'fabula', meaning 'story' or 'tale', which itself is derived from 'fari', meaning 'to speak'. The term evolved through Old French before entering Middle English, where it came to denote a short story typically featuring animals that convey a moral lesson.

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