I.a comparison.
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.—
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.—
B. A proverb, Vulg. 3 Reg. 4, 32.—
C. A taunting speech, Vulg. Hab. 2, 6.—
D. Any speech, esp. in phrase: “assumptā parabolā,” Vulg. Num. 23, 7.