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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Jotham's fable of the trees is the oldest extant. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

A fable may have talking animals anthropomorphically cast as humans representing different character types, sometimes illustrating some moral principle; as, Aesop's Fables. [ PJC ]

2. The plot, story, or connected series of events, forming the subject of an epic or dramatic poem. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Any story told to excite wonder; common talk; the theme of talk. “Old wives' fables. ” 1 Tim. iv. 7. [ 1913 Webster ]

We grew
The fable of the city where we dwelt. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Fiction; untruth; falsehood. [ 1913 Webster ]

It would look like a fable to report that this gentleman gives away a great fortune by secret methods. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Vain now the tales which fabling poets tell. Prior. [ 1913 Webster ]

He fables, yet speaks truth. M. Arnold. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To feign; to invent; to devise, and speak of, as true or real; to tell of falsely. [ 1913 Webster ]

The hell thou fablest. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A writer of fables; a fabulist; a dealer in untruths or falsehoods. Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]