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Ballad vs Fable - What's the difference?

ballad | fable |

As nouns the difference between ballad and fable

is that ballad is a kind of narrative poem, adapted for recitation or singing; especially, a sentimental or romantic poem in short stanzas while fable is a fictitious narrative intended to enforce some useful truth or precept, usually with animals, birds etc as characters; an apologue. Prototypically, Aesop's Fables.

As verbs the difference between ballad and fable

is that ballad is to make mention of in ballads while fable is to compose fables; hence, to write or speak fiction ; to write or utter what is not true.

ballad

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A kind of narrative poem, adapted for recitation or singing; especially, a sentimental or romantic poem in short stanzas.
    • The poet composed a ballad praising the heroic exploits of the fallen commander.
  • A slow romantic pop song.
    • On Friday nights, the roller rink had a time-block called "Lovers' Lap" when they played nothing but ballads on the overhead speakers.

    Quotations

    * 1885, *: A wandering minstrel I — *: A thing of shreds and patches, *: Of ballads , songs and snatches,

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (obsolete) To make mention of in ballads.
  • To compose or sing ballads.

    • fable

    English

    (wikipedia fable)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A fictitious narrative intended to enforce some useful truth or precept, usually with animals, birds etc as characters; an apologue. Prototypically, .
  • Any story told to excite wonder; common talk; the theme of talk.
  • * 4:7,
    • Old wives' fables .
  • * ,
    • We grew / The fable of the city where we dwelt.
  • Fiction; untruth; falsehood.
  • * ,
    • It would look like a fable to report that this gentleman gives away a great fortune by secret methods.
  • The plot, story, or connected series of events forming the subject of an epic or dramatic poem.
  • * Dryden
    • The moral is the first business of the poet; this being formed, he contrives such a design or fable as may be most suitable to the moral.

    Synonyms

    * (fiction to enforce a useful precept) morality play * (story to excite wonder) legend * (falsehood)

    Verb

    (fabl)
  • (archaic) To compose fables; hence, to write or speak fiction ; to write or utter what is not true.
  • * Shakespeare, 1 Henry VI , IV-ii:
    • He Fables not.
  • * :
    • Vain now the tales which fabling poets tell.
  • * :
    • He fables , yet speaks truth.
  • (archaic) To feign; to invent; to devise, and speak of, as true or real; to tell of falsely.
  • * :
    • The hell thou fablest .

    References

    * (Webster 1913) ----