Associations to the word «Tell»

Wiktionary

TELL, verb. (transitive) To count, reckon, or enumerate.
TELL, verb. (transitive) To narrate.
TELL, verb. (transitive) To convey by speech; to say.
TELL, verb. (transitive) To instruct or inform.
TELL, verb. (transitive) To order; to direct, to say to someone.
TELL, verb. (intransitive) To discern, notice, identify or distinguish.
TELL, verb. (transitive) To reveal.
TELL, verb. (intransitive) To be revealed.
TELL, verb. (intransitive) To have an effect, especially a noticeable one; to be apparent, to be demonstrated.
TELL, noun. A reflexive, often habitual behavior, especially one occurring in a context that often features attempts at deception by persons under psychological stress (such as a poker game or police interrogation), that reveals information that the person exhibiting the behavior is attempting to withhold.
TELL, noun. That which is told; tale; account.
TELL, noun. (internet) A private message to an individual in a chat room; a whisper.
TELL, noun. (archaeology) A mound, originally in the Middle East, over or consisting of the ruins of ancient settlements.
TELL AGAINST, verb. (transitive) (idiomatic) To function as a liability (for someone); to put into a condition of disadvantage.
TELL AGAINST, verb. (transitive) (idiomatic) To serve as evidence which casts doubt upon.
TELL ALL, verb. (idiomatic) To reveal everything, particularly information that is normally withheld.
TELL ALL, verb. Used other than as an idiom: see tell,‎ all.
TELL APART, verb. (idiomatic) To perceive things as different, or to perceive their difference itself; to differentiate, distinguish, discriminate.
TELL EL-AMARNA, proper noun. Modern site of the ancient city of Akhetaten in Egypt, built by Akhenaten in honor of the Egyptian deity Aten.
TELL FORTUNES, verb. (idiomatic) to tell someone's destiny or future, usually by magic
TELL IT LIKE IT IS, verb. (idiomatic) To speak frankly, to convey all and only the truth of a situation.
TELL OFF, verb. To rebuke, to reprimand, or to admonish, often in a harsh, direct way.
TELL OFF, verb. To count (members of a sequence), to enumerate.
TELL OFF, verb. (military) To divide and practise a regiment or company in the several formations, preparatory to marching to the general parade for field exercises.
TELL ON, verb. To inform on; to tattle; to tell someone with authority that someone else has done something wrong; usually somewhat childish.
TELL ON, verb. To cause visible strain to somebody or something.
TELL SOMEONE WHERE TO SHOVE IT, verb. (idiomatic) (colloquial) (euphemistic) (vulgar) To express extreme anger, disgust, or hatred toward someone.
TELL SOMEONE WHERE TO SHOVE IT, verb. Used other than as an idiom.
TELL TALES, verb. (idiomatic) To lie, to be making false claims.
TELL TALES OUT OF SCHOOL, verb. (idiomatic) To reveal confidential or sensitive information; to gossip.
TELL THE DIFFERENCE, verb. To differentiate similar things.
TELL THE TRUTH, verb. Used other than as an idiom: see tell,‎ truth.

Dictionary definition

TELL, noun. A Swiss patriot who lived in the early 14th century and who was renowned for his skill as an archer; according to legend an Austrian governor compelled him to shoot an apple from his son's head with his crossbow (which he did successfully without mishap).
TELL, verb. Express in words; "He said that he wanted to marry her"; "tell me what is bothering you"; "state your opinion"; "state your name".
TELL, verb. Let something be known; "Tell them that you will be late".
TELL, verb. Narrate or give a detailed account of; "Tell what happened"; "The father told a story to his child".
TELL, verb. Give instructions to or direct somebody to do something with authority; "I said to him to go home"; "She ordered him to do the shopping"; "The mother told the child to get dressed".
TELL, verb. Discern or comprehend; "He could tell that she was unhappy".
TELL, verb. Inform positively and with certainty and confidence; "I tell you that man is a crook!".
TELL, verb. Give evidence; "he was telling on all his former colleague".
TELL, verb. Mark as different; "We distinguish several kinds of maple".

Wise words

In words, as fashions, the same rule will hold; Alike fantastic, if too new, or old: Be not the first by whom the new are tried, Nor yet the last to lay the old aside.
Alexander Pope