n.
Pronunciation: ' tel
Function: verb
Inflected Form: told \ ' t ō ld \ ; tell · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English tellan; akin to Old High German zellen to count, tell, Old English talu tale
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1 : COUNT , ENUMERATE < tell the stars, if thou be able to number them ― Gen 15:5(AV)>
2 a : to relate in detail : NARRATE < told the whole story to us> b : to give utterance to : SAY <could never tell a lie>
3 a : to make known : DIVULGE , REVEAL <don't tell your password> b : to express in words <she never told her love ― Shakespeare>
4 a : to give information to : INFORM < tell us about your job> b : to assure emphatically <they did not do it, I tell you>
5 : ORDER , DIRECT < told me to wait>
6 : to find out by observing : RECOGNIZE <you can tell it's a masterpiece>
intransitive verb
1 : to give an account <an article telling of her experience>
2 : to act as an informer ― often used with on <I'll get even with you if you ever tell on me ― Inside Detective >
3 : to have a marked effect <the pressure was beginning to tell on him>
4 : to serve as evidence or indication
synonyms see REVEAL