Novel Definition
(now historical) A fable; a short tale, especially one of many making up a larger work. [from 16th c.]
Other Word Forms of Novel
Noun
Origin of Novel
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Ultimately from Old Italian novella piece of news, chit-chat, tale, novella from Vulgar Latin novella from neuter pl. of Latin novellus diminutive of novus new newo- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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In various senses from Old French novelle or Italian novella, both from Latin novella, a singular noun use of the neuter plural of novellus, from novus (“new"). Some senses came to English directly from the Latin.
From Wiktionary
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From Old French novel (“new, fresh, recent, recently made or done, strange, rare") (modern nouvel), from Latin novellus (“new, fresh, young, modern"), diminutive of novus (“new").
From Wiktionary
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Middle English from Old French from Latin novellus diminutive of novus newo- in Indo-European roots
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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