tell

tell¹

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 tell a different story.

    ↘divulge confidential information.

    ↘(tell on) informal inform someone of the misdemeanours of.

    ↘(tell someone off) informal reprimand someone.

2》 determine correctly or with certainty.

    ↘perceive (a distinction).

3》 (often tell 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

tell tales gossip about a person's secrets or faults.

tell the time (or N. Amer. tell time) be able to ascertain the time from reading the face of a clock or watch.

tell someone where to get off (or where they get off) informal angrily dismiss or rebuke someone.

there is no telling it is impossible to know what has happened or will happen.

you're telling me informal emphasizing that one is already well aware of or in complete agreement with something.

Derivatives

tellable adjective

Origin

OE tellan 'relate, count, estimate', of Gmc origin; related to tale.

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tell²

noun Archaeology (in the Middle East) a mound formed by the accumulated remains of ancient settlements.

Origin

C19: from Arab. tall 'hillock'.