adjective
parabolic
Expressed through a story with a moral or symbolic meaning.
The sermon used a parabolic story to teach forgiveness.
Etymology
The Greek source names a comparison. A parable presents one situation to illuminate another, and parabolic describes expression through that kind of instructive story.
More examples
- His parabolic account conveyed its lesson through a fictional traveler.
- The critic explored the novel's parabolic meaning.
- A simple farm scene carried a parabolic message about generosity.
Forms
parabolic
parable noun — a story conveying a lesson
Similar words
- allegorical
- Allegorical uses a symbolic story or system; parabolic specifically relates to a parable.
- didactic
- Didactic means intended to teach; a parabolic work teaches through a particular kind of story.