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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)