Also 5–6 -acion. [ad. L. confābuātiōn-em, n. of action from confābulārī: see prec. So in Fr.] Talking together; a familiar talk or conversation; chat.
c. 1450. trans. T. à Kempis, 133. Þi consolacions are not as mannes talkinges or confabulacions.
1534. More, Godly Medit., Wks. 1417/1. To abstaine from vaine confabulacions.
1621. Burton, Anat. Mel., II. ii. VI. i. (1651), 293. Friends confabulations are comfortable at all times.
1635. Pagitt, Christianogr., 21. The foolish confabulation betweene the Devill and a Monke.
1727. A. Hamilton, New Acc. E. Ind., II. xxxiii. 16. Sheldon espied us, out of a Window, holding a long Confabulation.
1801. Mar. Edgeworth, Mdlle. Panache (1832), 223. His lordship was engaged in confabulation with his groom.
1872. Black, Adv. Phaeton, xvi. When they went on for a private confabulation at night.
b. humorously. A conference.
1845. [Emma Robinson], Whitehall, III. ix. 96. Said Cromwell, rising, an example which was followed by the whole confabulation.
