tell

transitive verb told, telling

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

intransitive verb

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

noun