The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Tell \Tell\, v. i.
1. To give an account; to make report.
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That I may publish with the voice of thankgiving,
and tell of all thy wondrous works. --Ps. xxvi. 7.
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2. To take effect; to produce a marked effect; as, every shot
tells; every expression tells.
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To tell of.
(a) To speak of; to mention; to narrate or describe.
(b) To inform against; to disclose some fault of.
To tell on, to inform against. [Archaic & Colloq.]
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Lest they should tell on us, saying, So did David.
--1 Sam.
xxvii. 11.
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