tell
UK: tel | US: tel
vt. to communicate information, facts, or news to someone in spoken or written words
vt. to instruct or order someone to do something
vi. to reveal or disclose something (often unintentionally)
n. (archaic) an act of counting or reckoning
The word "tell" originates from Old English tellan, meaning "to count, reckon, or narrate." This verb is rooted in Proto-Germanic taljaną, which carries the dual sense of counting and speaking—reflecting how early societies linked numerical accounting with oral storytelling. Over time, "tell" expanded from literal counting (e.g., "tell time") to broader communication (e.g., "tell a story"). The semantic shift highlights how language intertwines logic (counting) and expression (speaking).
She told me an exciting story about her travels.
The teacher told the students to complete their assignments.
His nervous smile told me he was hiding something.
In medieval times, merchants would tell their goods to track inventory.
Can you tell the difference between these two colors?