n. (pl. -ies) 1 an account of imaginary or past events; a narrative, tale, or anecdote. 2 the past course of the life of a person or institution etc. (my story is a strange one). 3 (in full story-line) the narrative or plot of a novel or play etc. 4 facts or experiences that deserve narration. 5 colloq. a fib or lie. 6 a narrative or descriptive item of news. the old (or same old) story the familiar or predictable course of events. story-book 1 a book of stories for children. 2 (attrib.) unreal, romantic (a story-book ending). the story goes it is said. to cut (or make) a long story short a formula excusing the omission of details.
[ ME storie f. AF estorie (OF estoire) f. L historia (as HISTORY) ]