n. [ L. affabilitas: cf. F. affabilité. ] The quality of being affable; readiness to converse; courteousness in receiving others and in conversation; complaisant behavior. [ 1913 Webster ]

Affability is of a wonderful efficacy or power in procuring love. Elyot [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ F. affable, L. affabilis, fr. affari to speak to; ad + fari to speak. See Fable. ] 1. Easy to be spoken to or addressed; receiving others kindly and conversing with them in a free and friendly manner; courteous; sociable. [ 1913 Webster ]

An affable and courteous gentleman. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

His manners polite and affable. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Gracious; mild; benign. [ 1913 Webster ]

A serene and affable countenance. Tatler. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Courteous; civil; complaisant; accessible; mild; benign; condescending. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Affability. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an affable manner; courteously. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. affaber workmanlike; ad + faber. ] Executed in a workmanlike manner; ingeniously made. [ R. ] Bailey. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Contr. from confabulation. ] Familiar talk or conversation. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Confabulated; p. pr. & vb. n. Confabulating. ] [ L. confabulatus, p. p. of confabulary, to converse together; con- + fabulary to speak, fr. fabula. See Fable. ] To talk familiarly together; to chat; to prattle. [ 1913 Webster ]

I shall not ask Jean Jaques Rousseau
If birds confabulate or no. Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. confabulatio. ] Familiar talk; easy, unrestrained, unceremonious conversation. [ 1913 Webster ]

Friends' confabulations are comfortable at all times, as fire in winter. Burton. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of the nature of familiar talk; in the form of a dialogue. Weever. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. effabilis; ex out + fari to speak. ] Capable of being uttered or explained; utterable. Barrow. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. [ shortened form of fabulous. ] extremely pleasing. [ Colloq. ]
Syn. -- fabulous. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

prop. n. A large natural family of trees, shrubs, vines, and herbs bearing bean pods; divided for convenience into the subfamilies Caesalpiniacea; Mimosaceae; Papilionaceae.
Syn. -- Leguminosae, family Leguminosae, family Fabaceae, legume family, pea family. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. [ L. fabaceus, fr. faba bean. ] Having the nature of a bean; like a bean. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n.; pl. Fabellae [ NL., dim. of L. faba a bean. ] (Anat.) One of the small sesamoid bones situated behind the condyles of the femur, in some mammals. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. Fabianus, Fabius, belonging to Fabius. ] Of, pertaining to, or in the manner of, the Roman general, Quintus Fabius Maximus Verrucosus; cautious; dilatory; avoiding a decisive contest. [ 1913 Webster ]

Fabian policy, a policy like that of Fabius Maximus, who, by carefully avoiding decisive contests, foiled Hannibal, harassing his army by marches, countermarches, and ambuscades; a policy of delays and cautions. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Of or pertaining to the Roman gens Fabia. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

2. Designating, or pertaining to, a society of socialists, organized in England in 1884 to spread socialistic principles gradually without violent agitation.

The Fabian Society proposes then to conquer by delay; to carry its programme, not by a hasty rush, but through the slower, but, as it thinks, surer methods of patient discussion, exposition, and political action. William Clarke. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. A member of, or sympathizer with, the Fabian Society. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. a genus of South and Central American heathlike evergreen shrubs.
Syn. -- genus Fabiana. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. the principles and beliefs of or similar to those of the Fabian Society, advocating socialism to be established by gradual reforms within the law. [ British ] [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ F., fr. L. fabula, fr. fari to speak, say. See Ban, and cf. Fabulous, Fame. ] 1. A Feigned story or tale, intended to instruct or amuse; a fictitious narration intended to enforce some useful truth or precept; an apologue. See the Note under Apologue. [ 1913 Webster ]

Jotham's fable of the trees is the oldest extant. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

A fable may have talking animals anthropomorphically cast as humans representing different character types, sometimes illustrating some moral principle; as, Aesop's Fables. [ PJC ]

2. The plot, story, or connected series of events, forming the subject of an epic or dramatic poem. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Any story told to excite wonder; common talk; the theme of talk. “Old wives' fables. ” 1 Tim. iv. 7. [ 1913 Webster ]

We grew
The fable of the city where we dwelt. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Fiction; untruth; falsehood. [ 1913 Webster ]

It would look like a fable to report that this gentleman gives away a great fortune by secret methods. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Fabled p. pr. & vb. n. Fabling ] To compose fables; hence, to write or speak fiction ; to write or utter what is not true. “He Fables not.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Vain now the tales which fabling poets tell. Prior. [ 1913 Webster ]

He fables, yet speaks truth. M. Arnold. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To feign; to invent; to devise, and speak of, as true or real; to tell of falsely. [ 1913 Webster ]

The hell thou fablest. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A writer of fables; a fabulist; a dealer in untruths or falsehoods. Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n.; pl. Fabliaux [ F., fr. OF.fablel, dim. of fable a fable. ] (Fr. Lit.) One of the metrical tales of the Trouvères, or early poets of the north of France. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. fabrica fabric, workshop: cf. F. fabrique fabric. See Forge. ] 1. The structure of anything; the manner in which the parts of a thing are united; workmanship; texture; make; as cloth of a beautiful fabric. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which is fabricated; as: (a) Framework; structure; edifice; building. [ 1913 Webster ]

Anon out of the earth a fabric huge
Rose like an exhalation. Milton.

(b) Cloth of any kind that is woven or knit from fibers, whether vegetable, animal, or synthetic; manufactured cloth; as, silks or other fabrics; made of a fabric that is 50% cotton and 50% polyester. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. The act of constructing; construction. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Tithe was received by the bishop, . . . for the fabric of the churches for the poor. Milman. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Any system or structure consisting of connected parts; as, the fabric of the universe. [ 1913 Webster ]

The whole vast fabric of society. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Fabricked p. pr. & vb. n. Fabricking. ] To frame; to build; to construct. [ Obs. ] “Fabric their mansions.” J. Philips. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. ] One who fabricates; a manufacturer. Simmonds. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Fabricated p. pr. & vb. n. Fabricating ] [ L. fabricatus, p. p. of fabricari, fabricare, to frame, build, forge, fr. fabrica. See Fabric, Farge. ] 1. To form into a whole by uniting its parts; to frame; to construct; to build; as, to fabricate a bridge or ship. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To form by art and labor; to manufacture; to produce; as, to fabricate woolens. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To invent and form; to forge; to devise falsely; as, to fabricate a lie or story. [ 1913 Webster ]

Our books were not fabricated with an accomodation to prevailing usages. Paley. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. formed or conceived by the fancy or imagination; as, a fabricated excuse for his absence.
Syn. -- fancied, fictional, fictitious, fictive, invented, made-up. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ L. fabricatio; cf. F. fabrication. ] 1. The act of fabricating, framing, or constructing; construction; manufacture; as, the fabrication of a bridge, a church, or a government. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which is fabricated; a falsehood; as, the story is doubtless a fabrication.

Syn. -- See Fiction. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. ] One who fabricates; one who constructs or makes. [ 1913 Webster ]

The fabricator of the works of Ossian. Mason. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A woman who fabricates. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. fabrilis, fr. faber workman. See Forge. ] Pertaining to a workman, or to work in stone, metal, wood etc.; as, fabrile skill. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. fabuliste, fr. L. fabula. See Fable. ] One who invents or writes fables. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Fabulized p. pr. & vb. n. Fabulizing ] [ Cf. F. fabuliser. See Fable. ] To invent, compose, or relate fables or fictions. G. S. Faber. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. fabulositas: cf. F. fabulosité. ] 1. Fabulousness. [ R. ] Abp. Abbot. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A fabulous or fictitious story. [ R. ] Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. fabulosus; cf. F. fabuleux. See Fable. ] 1. Feigned, as a story or fable; related in fable; devised; invented; not real; fictitious; as, a fabulous description; a fabulous hero. [ 1913 Webster ]

The fabulous birth of Minerva. Chesterfield. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Beyond belief; exceedingly great; as, a fabulous price. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Exceptionally good; extremely pleasing. [ informal ] [ PJC ]

Fabulous age, that period in the history of a nation of which the only accounts are myths and unverified legends; as, the fabulous age of Greece and Rome.

-- Fab"u*lous*ly adv. -- Fab"u*lous*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. faux bourdon. See False, and Burden a verse. ] 1. (Mus.) (a) A species of counterpoint with a drone bass. (b) A succession of chords of the sixth. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A monotonous refrain. [ Obs. ] Holland. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. F. inaffabilité. ] Lack of affability or sociability; reticence. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Pref. in- not + affable. ] Not affable; reserved in social intercourse. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. ineffabilitas: cf. F. ineffabilité. ] The quality or state of being ineffable; ineffableness; unspeakableness. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. ineffabilis: cf. F. ineffable. See In- not, and Effable, Fame. ] Incapable of being expressed in words; unspeakable; unutterable; indescribable; as, the ineffable joys of heaven. [ 1913 Webster ]

Contentment with our lot . . . will diffuse ineffable contentment over the soul. Beattie. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality or state of being ineffable or unutterable; unspeakableness. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In a manner not to be expressed in words; unspeakably. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Not fabricated; unwrought; not artificial; natural. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Mischievous. [ R. ] Lydgate. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. That which is part fable and part truth; a mixture of truth and fable. De Quincey. [ 1913 Webster ]

See abolishable.
See absolvable.
See absurd.
See abundant.
See accordant.
See adoptable.
See adventurous.
See affable.
See affectionate.
See afraid.
See alliable.
See allowable.
See alterable.
See ambiguous.
See ambitious.
See amendable.
See -American.
See amusive.
See angular.
See anxious.
See apocryphal.
See apostolic.
See apparent.
See appeasable.
See applausive.
See appreciable.
See apprehensible.
See apprehensive.
See approachable.
See artificial.
See artistic.
See assailable.
See attainable.
See attentive.
See authentic.
See available.
See bailable.
See bearable.
See beautiful.
See beliefful.
See believable.
See beneficial.
See benevolent.
See blamable.
See blemishable.
See blissful.
See boastful.
See bold.
See bookish.
See bounteous.
See bribable.
See brotherly.
See burdensome.
See businesslike.
See busy.
See candid.
See canonical.
See captious.
See careful.
See celestial.
See ceremonious.
See challengeable.
See changeable.
See chary.
See chastisable.
See cheerful.
See cheery.
See childish.
See chivalrous.
See choleric.
See christianlike.
See circumspect.
See civic.
See classible.
See classic.
See classical.
See cleanly.
See clear.
See clerical.
See clerklike.
See close.
See cloudy.
See clubbable.
See coagulable.
See cogitable.
See collectible.
See comic.
See commendable.
See commercial.
See communicable.
See communicative.
See compact.
See companionable.
See compassionate.
See compellable.
See competitive.
See complaisant.
See compliant. See complimentary.
See concealable.
See concurrent.
See conditionate.
See confinable.
See confutable.
See congealable.
See congenial.
See conjugal.
See conjunctive.
See conquerable.
See consecrate.
See containable.
See contaminate.
See contradictable.
See contrite.
See convenable.
See conventional.
See conversable.
See conversant.
See convertible.
See coquettish.
See cordial.
See corpulent.
See correspondent.
See corruptible.
See corruptive.
See costly.
See counselable.
See countable.
See counterfeit.
See courteous.
See courtierlike.
See courtly.
See crafty.
See creatable.
See critical.
See crystalline.
See cultivable.
See curious.
See customary.
See dangerous.
See daughterly.
See dead.
See deceivable.
See decidable.
See decipherable.
See declinable.
See decomposable.
See definable.
See delectable.
See deliberate.
See delightful.
See deliverable.
See democratic.
See demonstrable.
See demonstrative.
See deniable.
See derogatory.
See descendible.
See describable.
See desirable.
See desirous.
See despondent.
See devout.
See diaphanous.
See diligent.
See diminishable.
See discernible.
See disciplinable.
See discordant.
See discoverable.
See dissolvable.
See distinguishable.
See dividable.
See divine.
See domestic.
See doubtful.
[ 1913 Webster ]