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Fable vs Preface - What's the difference?

fable | preface |

As nouns the difference between fable and preface

is that fable is a fictitious narrative intended to enforce some useful truth or precept, usually with animals, birds etc as characters; an apologue prototypically, while preface is the part of the liturgy that precedes the main part of the eucharist.

As a verb fable

is (archaic) to compose fables; hence, to write or speak fiction ; to write or utter what is not true.

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) ----

    preface

    English

    (wikipedia preface)

    Alternative forms

    * (archaic)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The beginning or introductory portion that comes before the main text of a document or book.
    • The book included a brief preface by a leading expert in the field.
  • An introduction, or series of preliminary remarks.
  • * Shakespeare
    • This superficial tale / Is but a preface of her worthy praise.
  • * Milton
    • Heaven's high behest no preface needs.
  • (Roman Catholic) The prelude or introduction to the canon of the Mass.

    • Verb

    (prefac)
  • To introduce or make a comment before (the main point).
    • Let me preface this by saying that I don't know him that well.
  • To give a preface to.
    • to preface a book

    Related terms

    * prefatory

    See also

    * foretalk * foreword * introduction * prelude