Definition of "fable" []

• A usually short narrative making an edifying or cautionary point and often employing as characters animals that speak and act like humans. (noun)
• A story about legendary persons and exploits. (noun)
• A falsehood; a lie. (noun)
• To recount as if true. (verb-transitive)
• Archaic To compose fables. (verb-intransitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "[Footnote: For an explanation of the term fable, see page 236.] 1."
• "While I think the book has an intriguing premise, calling it a fable is a stretch."
• "Othellos, the Don Juans that illustrate to us that the fable is a game of chess played over and over again, a thousand times with whatever pieces destiny throws up at any given time."