I. ˈtel verb
( told ˈtōld ; 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 — Genesis 15:5(Authorized Version)
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
II. noun
Etymology: Arabic tall
Date: 1864
: hill , mound ; specifically : an ancient mound in the Middle East composed of remains of successive settlements