מָשָׁל m.n. (pl. מְשָׁלִים, also מְשָׁלוֹת) 1 proverb, proverbial saying. 2 byword. 3 parable, allegory. 4 tale, fable. 5 poem. 6 example. [From משׁל ᴵᴵ (= to be like; to speak in parables). cp. Aram.-Syr. מַתְלָא (= parable, proverb, fable, myth), Arab. mathal (= likeness; metaphor, parable; proverb). cp. מִשְׁלֵי.]