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)
verb
- express in words"He said that he wanted to marry her"
- let something be known"Tell them that you will be late"
- narrate or give a detailed account of"Tell what happened"
- give instructions to or direct somebody to do something with authority"I said to him to go home"
- discern or comprehend"He could tell that she was unhappy"
- inform positively and with certainty and confidence"I tell you that man is a crook!"
- give evidence"he was telling on all his former colleague"
- mark as different"We distinguish several kinds of maple"
Source: Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).