allegory; fable; parable
Meanings
2 senses · 8 examplesnoun
words with an underlying message; allegorical saying
literaryRefers to speech or writing where the surface meaning conveys a deeper, often moral or philosophical, message.
His words are often profound allegories that require us to savor them carefully.
This poem is full of philosophical allegory.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
The ancients often used allegorical sayings to express their views on society.
noun
fable; parable; allegorical story
A short story, typically featuring animals, plants, or inanimate objects as characters, designed to convey a moral lesson, often with satirical or advisory intent.
Aesop's Fables contain many stories about wisdom and foolishness.
The teacher used a fable to teach us to be honest.
Show 3 more examplesShow fewer examples
This modern parable satirizes consumerism.
The allegories in the 'Strategies of the Warring States' were often used to persuade monarchs.
This fable warns us against insatiable greed.