tell
tell1 definition
tell (tel)
transitive verb told, telling tell′·ing
- to enumerate; count; reckon to tell time
- to give an account of (a story, etc.) in speech or writing
- to express in words; utter; say to tell the truth
- to report; announce; publish
- to reveal; disclose; make known a smile that told her joy
- to recognize; distinguish; discriminate unable to tell one from the other
- to decide; know one can't tell what will happen
- to let know; inform; acquaint tell me about the game
- to request; direct; order; command tell him to leave
- to state emphatically to it's there, I tell you
Etymology: ME tellen < OE tellan, lit., to calculate, reckon < Gmc *taljan > Ger zahl, number: see tale
intransitive verb
- to give an account or description (of something)
- to give evidence or be an indication (of something)
- to carry tales; reveal secrets to kiss and tell
- to produce a result; be effective; have a marked effect efforts that are beginning to tell
tell Idioms
do tell!
☆Informal is that a fact?: often used sarcastically
tell off
- to count (persons, etc.) and separate them from the total number
- Informal to rebuke severely
tell on
- to have a marked, usually adverse, effect on
- Informal to inform against or gossip about
tell2 definition
tell (tel)
noun
Archaeol. esp. in the Middle East, a large mound or hill, built up gradually, covering the successive remains of ancient communities
Etymology: Ar tall, a mound
Tell definition
Tell (tel)
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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Related Discussions (1)
| Topic | Replies | Latest Post |
|---|---|---|
| origin of "to share" = "to say, or tell" | 11 | 7 years ago |
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