Tale

tāl, n. a narrative or story: a fable: what is told or counted off: number: reckoning.— v.i. ( obs. ) to speak.— n. Tale′-bear′er , one who maliciously tells tales or gives information.— adj. Tale′-bear′ing , given to tell tales or give information officiously.— n. act of telling secrets.— adj. Tale′ful , abounding with stories.— n. Tale′-tell′er , one who tells stories, esp. officiously.— Be in a (or one ) tale , to be in full accord; Old wives' tale , any marvellous story appealing to one's credulity; Tell one's (or its ) own tale , to speak for one's self or itself; Tell tales , to play the informer; Tell tales out of school , to reveal confidential matters. [A.S. talu , a reckoning, a tale, also speech; Ger. zahl , a number.]