The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Parable \Par"a*ble\, v. t.
   To represent by parable. [R.]
   [1913 Webster]

         Which by the ancient sages was thus parabled. --Milton.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Parable \Par"a*ble\, a. [L. parabilis, fr. parare to provide.]
   Procurable. [Obs.] --Sir T. Browne.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Parable \Par"a*ble\, n. [F. parabole, L. parabola, fr. Gr. ? a
   placing beside or together, a comparing, comparison, a
   parable, fr. ? to throw beside, compare; para` beside + ? to
   throw; cf. Skr. gal to drop. Cf. Emblem, Gland,
   Palaver, Parabola, Parley, Parabole, Symbol.]
   A comparison; a similitude; specifically, a short fictitious
   narrative of something which might really occur in life or
   nature, by means of which a moral is drawn; as, the parables
   of Christ. --Chaucer.
   [1913 Webster]

         Declare unto us the parable of the tares. --Matt. xiii.
                                                  36.
   [1913 Webster]

   Syn: See Allegory, and Note under Apologue.
        [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

parable
    n 1: a short moral story (often with animal characters) [syn:
         fable, parable, allegory, apologue]
    2: (New Testament) any of the stories told by Jesus to convey
       his religious message; "the parable of the prodigal son"