Background for told

told

/tɔʊld/ /toʊld/

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verb

(archaic outside of idioms) To count, reckon, or enumerate.

Examples :

"All told, there were over a dozen. Can you tell time on a clock? He had untold wealth."

number math language

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verb

Examples :

"I want to tell a story; I want to tell you a story."

communication language story

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verb

To convey by speech; to say.

Examples :

"Finally, someone told him the truth. He seems to like to tell lies."

communication language word

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verb

To instruct or inform.

Examples :

"Please tell me how to do it."

communication language

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verb

To order; to direct, to say to someone.

Examples :

"Tell him to go away."

communication language action

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verb

To discern, notice, identify or distinguish.

Examples :

"The detective told the subtle difference in the suspect's handwriting. "

communication language word

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verb

Examples :

"Time will tell what became of him."

communication language

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verb

To be revealed.

Examples :

"The secret was finally told by the teacher in class. "

communication language

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verb

To have an effect, especially a noticeable one; to be apparent, to be demonstrated.

Examples :

"Sir Gerald was moving slower; his wounds were beginning to tell."

outcome action sign condition

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verb

To use (beads or similar objects) as an aid to prayer.

Examples :

"My grandmother told her rosary beads every evening. "

religion ritual

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verb

To inform someone in authority about a wrongdoing.

Examples :

"The student was told by the teacher about cheating on the test. "

communication police law government

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verb

(authorship) To reveal information in prose through outright expository statement -- contrasted with show

Examples :

"The teacher told the students the rules for the essay contest, rather than demonstrating them through an example. "

literature writing language communication