Meanings
- no pluralrareA proverb or parable.
In adopting the bipartite structure, then, the Phoenix-poet demonstrates that this poem is a 'two-fold story,' a bispel.
2008, Janie Steen, Verse and Virtuosity2 more examples
Helmut de Boor offers a similarly narrow definition of the nature of morals to be drawn from fables. Opposing "bispel" and fable he sums up the differences as regards this aspect: "The bispel aims at cognition, the fable gives practical knowledge, and in so far as an educational aim is involved the bispel aims at improving man, the fable at making him wiser."
1983, Marianne Powell, Fabula DocetSuch episodes and events were used to illustrate and justify more general or abstract 'philosophical' statements in much the same way as exempla or bispel 'edifying illustrative stories' were used in medieval sermons. And just as we have collections of exempla and bispel from medieval times onwards in Europe, [...]
1998, Joseph Needham, Science and Civilisation in China: Volume 7
Origin
- Old Englishbīspel
- Middle Englishbispel
- Englishbispel
From Middle English bispel, from Old English bīspel, biġspel (“proverb, parable, example, story”), from bī- (“by”) + spel (“talk, story”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian Biespil (“example”), Middle Dutch bijspel (“proverb, parable”), German Low German Bispeel (“example”), German Beispiel (“example”). More at byspel, by-, spell.
More words from Middle English, Old English
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
bispel. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/bispel
“bispel.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/bispel. Accessed November 2, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “bispel,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/bispel.
Source: bispel on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.