资料来源 : pyDict

寓言,神话,谎言虚构,作寓言

资料来源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Fable \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.

Fable \Fa"ble\, v. t.
   To feign; to invent; to devise, and speak of, as true or
   real; to tell of falsely.

         The hell thou fablest.                   --Milton.

Fable \Fa"ble\ (f[=a]"b'l), 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.

资料来源 : WordNet®

fable
     n 1: a deliberately false or improbable account [syn: {fabrication},
           {fiction}]
     2: a short moral story (often with animal characters) [syn: {parable},
         {allegory}, {apologue}]
     3: a story about mythical or supernatural beings or events
        [syn: {legend}]