tell

tell

tell¹ [tel]

vt.

told, telling [ME tellen < OE tellan, lit., to calculate, reckon < Gmc * taljan > Ger zahl, number: see TALE]

1. to enumerate; count; reckon [to tell time]

2. to give an account of (a story, etc.) in speech or writing

3. to express in words; utter; say [to tell the truth]

4. to report; announce; publish

5. to reveal; disclose; make known [a smile that told her joy]

6. to recognize; distinguish; discriminate [unable to tell one from the other]

7. to decide; know [one can't tell what will happen]

8. to let know; inform; acquaint [tell me about the game]

9. to request; direct; order; command [tell him to leave]

10. to state emphatically to [it's there, I tell you]

vi.

1. to give an account or description (of something)

2. to give evidence or be an indication (of something)

3. to carry tales; reveal secrets [to kiss and tell]

4. to produce a result; be effective; have a marked effect [efforts that are beginning to tell]

SYN.- REVEAL¹

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☆ do tell!

Informal is that a fact?: often used sarcastically

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tell off

1. to count (persons, etc.) and separate them from the total number

2. Informal to rebuke severely

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tell on

1. to have a marked, usually adverse, effect on

2. Informal to inform against or gossip about

tell² [tel]

n.

[Ar tall, a mound]

Archaeol. esp. in the Middle East, a large mound or hill, built up gradually, covering the successive remains of ancient communities