~ 1
■ verb ( past and past participle told )
1》 communicate information to.
↘instruct (someone) to do something.
↘relate (a story).
↘reveal (information) in a non-verbal way: the figures ~ a different story.
↘divulge confidential information.
↘( ~ on ) informal inform someone of the misdemeanours of.
↘( ~ someone off ) informal reprimand someone.
2》 determine correctly or with certainty.
↘perceive (a distinction).
3》 (often ~ on ) (of an experience) have a noticeable effect on someone.
↘(of a factor) play a part in the success or otherwise of someone or something: lack of fitness told against him.
4》 chiefly archaic count (the members of a group).
Phrases
~ tales gossip about a person's secrets or faults.
~ the time (or N. Amer. ~ time ) be able to ascertain the time from reading the face of a clock or watch.
~ someone where to get off (or where they get off ) informal angrily dismiss or rebuke someone.
there is no ~ing it is impossible to know what has happened or will happen.
you're ~ing me informal emphasizing that one is already well aware of or in complete agreement with something.
Derivatives
~able adjective
Origin
OE ~an 'relate, count, estimate', of Gmc origin; related to tale .
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~ 2
■ noun Archaeology (in the Middle East) a mound formed by the accumulated remains of ancient settlements.
Origin
C19: from Arab. tall 'hillock'.