Lewis & Short

fābella, ae, f. dim. [fabula], a brief narrative, a short history, story (class.).

  1. 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.
  2. II. In partic.
    1. 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.
    2. B. A short play, Cic. Q. Fr. 2, 16, 3: haec tota fabella, quam est sine argumento! id. Cael. 27, 64.