parable

English

Pronunciation
  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈpaɹəbəl/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈpæɹ.ə.bəl/

Etymology 1

From Middle English parable, from Old French parable, parabole, from Late Latin parabola, from Ancient Greek παραβολή (parabolḗ, “comparison”). Doublet of parabola, parole, and palaver.

Noun

parable (plural parables)

  1. A short narrative illustrating a lesson (usually religious/moral) by comparison or analogy.
    In the New Testament the parables told by Jesus convey His message, as in "The parable of the prodigal son".
    Catholic sermons normally draw on at least one Biblical lecture, often parables.
Translations
short story illustrating a lesson
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Translations to be checked

Verb

parable (third-person singular simple present parables, present participle parabling, simple past and past participle parabled)

  1. (transitive) To represent by parable.
    • (Can we date this quote?) John Milton
      Which by the ancient sages was thus parabled.

See also

Etymology 2

From Latin parābilis, from parāre (“to prepare, procure”).

Adjective

parable (comparative more parable, superlative most parable)

  1. (obsolete) That can easily be prepared or procured; obtainable.
    • 1621, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of Melancholy, Oxford: Printed by Iohn Lichfield and Iames Short, for Henry Cripps, OCLC 216894069; The Anatomy of Melancholy: […], 2nd corrected and augmented edition, Oxford: Printed by John Lichfield and James Short, for Henry Cripps, 1624, OCLC 54573970, (please specify |partition=1, 2, or 3):
      The most parable and easy, and about which many are employed, is to teach a school, turn lecturer or curate […] .
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Sir Thomas Browne to this entry?)

Further reading

Anagrams

French

Etymology

Ultimately from Latin parare (“to ward off”)

Adjective

parable (plural parables)

  1. preventable (able to be or fit to be prevented)

Anagrams

Middle English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Old French parable, parabole, from Late Latin parabola, from Ancient Greek παραβολή (parabolḗ).

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /paˈraːblə/, /paˈraːbəl/, /ˈparabəl/

Noun

parable (plural parables)

  1. A parable or narrative (usually teaching or illustrating a lesson)
  2. A maxim or byword, a short phrase or quip teaching or illustrating a lesson.
  3. A oration or session of speaking, especially one full of invective; a diatribe or rant.

Descendants

References
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