I.a brief narrative, a short history, story (class.).
I. In gen.: “nihil debet esse in philosophia commentariis fabellis loci,” Cic. Div. 2, 38, 80: “vera,” Phaedr. 2, 5, 6: “in fabellam excedere,” Sen. Ep. 77 med.—
II. In partic.
A. A short fable, a tale, Phaedr. 4, 7, 22: “Haec (anus) tibi fabellas referat, etc.,” Tib. 1, 3, 85: “aniles,” Hor. S. 2, 6, 78.—Prov.: “narrare fabellam asello,” to preach to a stone, Hor. Ep. 2, 1, 200.—
B. A short play, Cic. Q. Fr. 2, 16, 3: “haec tota fabella, quam est sine argumento!” id. Cael. 27, 64.