fable

Definitions

1. A fictitious narrative intended to enforce some useful truth or precept, usually with animals, etc. as characters; an apologue. Prototypically, Aesop's Fables.
2. Any story told to excite wonder; common talk; the theme of talk.
3. Fiction; untruth; falsehood.
4. The plot, story, or connected series of events forming the subject of an epic or dramatic poem.

Equivalents

Examples

“But refuſe prophane and olde wiues fables, and exerciſe thy ſelfe rather vnto godlineſſe.”

“[…]we grew / The fable of the city where we dwelt.”

“I say⟳ it would look⟳ like⟳ a fable to report⟳ that this gentleman gives away all which is the overplus of a great fortune by secret methods to other men.”

“For the moral (as Bossu observes,) is the first business of the poet, as being the groundwork of his instruction. This being formed, he contrives such a design⟳, or fable, as may be most suitable to the moral;”

CEFR level