Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • Greek fabulist traditionally considered the author of Aesop's Fables, including “The Tortoise and the Hare” and “The Fox and the Grapes.”

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • proper noun An ancient Greek author, famous for the fables ascribed to him.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun Greek author of fables (circa 620-560 BC)

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

From Ancient Greek Αἴσωπος (Aisōpos).

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Examples

  • The term originated in Aesop's fable about the traveller who in a strong north wind drew his cloak ever more closely about him, only to have to take it off in the end because of the warmth of the sun.

    The Nobel Peace Prize 2000 - Presentation Speech 2000

  • It gets me that Aesop is still right after all these years:)

    British Books for Malaysian Schools Sharon Bakar 2005

  • Very different from the ass in Aesop, who disguised himself with a lion’s hide, our lion was obliged to conceal himself under the skin of an ass; and, while he embraced the dictates of reason, to obey the laws of prudence and necessity.

    The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire 1206

  • In its innumerable translations it passed down the stream of time, and the fables known as Aesop's made their way among all races of people in the same marvellous way.

    The Talking Beasts Various 1896

  • We must break away from Velazquez, passing by his marvellous portraits of kings and dwarfs, saints and poodles, -- among whom there is a dwarf of two centuries ago, who is too like Tom Thumb to serve for his twin brother, -- and a portrait of Aesop, which is a flash of intuition, an epitome of all the fables.

    Castilian Days John Hay 1870

  • May 14: The underground hip-hop artist Ian Bavitz, better known as Aesop Rock, returns to his native New York to perform with the Moldy Peaches singer-songwriter Kimya Dawson, on whose upcoming solo album, "Thunder Thighs," he appears; the two also have a collaborative album in the works.

    The New Yorker newyorker.com 2011

  • This is cunningly represented by one of your old sages called Aesop, in the story of the bird that was grieved extremely at being wounded with an arrow feathered with his own wing; as also of the oak that let many a heavy groan when he was cleft with a wedge of his own timber.

    History of John Bull John Arbuthnot 1701

  • Ohio June 24 to implement an automated educational substitute ordering system called Aesop in the district.

    This Week News Feed 2010

  • "We'll come to Camp Comfort, and you'll cook," they announce cheerfully to Mr. Moakley, and he does just that, sometimes whipping up Mediterranean dishes using recipes he learned from his days working as a waiter at an island restaurant called Aesop's Tables.

    NYT > Home Page 2009

  • The brothers run Esplanade Avenue, which distributes skincare brands from France and New York, namely Aesop, Annick Goutal, Dr Sebagh and Laura Mercier.

    unknown title 2009

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