Lewis & Short

† părăbŏla, ae, and părăbŏlē, ēs, f., = παραβολή, a comparison.

  1. I. Lit.: in omni parabole aut praecedit similitudo, res sequitur; aut praecedit res, similitude sequitur, Quint. 8, 3, 77; 6, 3, 59: qui simpliciter et demonstrandae rei causā eloquebantur, parabolis referti sunt, Sen. Ep. 59, 5.
  2. II. Transf., in eccl. Lat., an allegorical relation, a parable, Tert. adv. Marc. 3, 5; Aug. quaest. Evang. 2, 45; Vulg. Job, 27, 1; id. Matt. 13, 3 et saep.
    1. B. A proverb, Vulg. 3 Reg. 4, 32.
    2. C. A taunting speech, Vulg. Hab. 2, 6.
    3. D. Any speech, esp. in phrase: assumptā parabolā, Vulg. Num. 23, 7.