parable
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English
Pronunciation
- (UK) IPA(key): /ˈpaɹəbəl/
Audio (Southern England): (file)
- (US) IPA(key): /ˈpæɹ.ə.bəl/, /ˈpɛɹ.ə.bəl/
- Rhymes: -æɹəbəl
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)
- A short narrative illustrating a lesson (usually religious/moral) by comparison or analogy.
- In the New Testament the parables told by Jesus Christ convey His message, as in "The parable of the prodigal son".
- Catholic homilies normally draw on at least one Biblical lecture, often parables.
Related terms
Translations
short story illustrating a lesson
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Verb
parable (third-person singular simple present parables, present participle parabling, simple past and past participle parabled)
- (transitive) To represent by parable.
- 1644, J M, The Doctrine or Discipline of Divorce: , 2nd edition, London: [s.n.], →OCLC, book:
- 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)
- (obsolete) That can easily be prepared or procured; obtainable.
- 1624, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of Melancholy: , 2nd edition, Oxford, Oxfordshire: John Lichfield and James Short, for Henry Cripps, →OCLC:
- The most parable and easy, and about which many are employed, is to teach a school, turn lecturer or curate […] .
- 1650, Thomas Browne, Pseudodoxia Epidemica: , 2nd edition, London: A Miller, for Edw Dod and Nath Ekins, , →OCLC:
- well-wishers unto parable Physick
Further reading
Anagrams
French
Etymology
Ultimately from Latin parare (“to ward off”)
Adjective
parable (plural parables)
- preventable (able to be or fit to be prevented)
Related terms
Anagrams
Middle English
Alternative forms
Etymology
From Old French parable, parabole, from Late Latin parabola, from Ancient Greek παραβολή (parabolḗ).
Pronunciation
Noun
parable (plural parables)
- A parable or narrative (usually teaching or illustrating a lesson)
- A maxim or byword, a short phrase or quip teaching or illustrating a lesson.
- A oration or session of speaking, especially one full of invective; a diatribe or rant.
Descendants
References
- “parā̆ble, n.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007, retrieved 2019-04-21.