parable

To represent by parable.

Adjective

  1. That can easily be prepared or procured; obtainable.
    • The most parable and easy, and about which many are employed, is to teach a school, turn lecturer or curate […].
    • well-wishers unto parable Physick - 1650, Thomas Browne, Pseudodoxia Epidemica: […], 2nd edition, London: […] A[braham] Miller, for Edw[ard] Dod and Nath[aniel] Ekins, […], →OCLC:

Origin

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

Forms

more parable most parable

Noun

  1. 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.

Origin

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.

Forms

parables

Synonyms

exemplum

Related

palaver parabola parabole parabolist parliament parlor parole

Derived

metaparable parablelike

Verb

  1. To represent by parable.
    • Which by the ancient sages was thus parabled. - 1643, J[ohn] M[ilton], The Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce: […], London: […] T[homas] P[aine] and M[atthew] S[immons] […], →OCLC:

Forms

parables parabling parabled

Related

fable allegory pericope simile