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Definition of "fabliau" [‖Fa•bli•au]

  • A medieval verse tale characterized by comic, ribald treatment of themes drawn from life. (noun)

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.

Use "fabliau" in a sentence
  • "A fabliau is a brief tale, often little more than an anecdote, with a sharp sting at the end of it; frequently it was in rime; generally satiric in intent, it was full of frank gayety and of playful humor."
  • "[FN#488] The fabliau is a favourite in the East; this is the third time it has occurred with minor modifications."
  • "The second lady's trick in the fabliau is a very close parallel to the story in The Nights, vol.v. p. 96. ["