n.

1. 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);
   Tell, William Tell

v.

1. express in words;
   state, say
   
   • He said that he wanted to marry her
   • tell me what is bothering you
   • state your opinion
   • state your name
2. let something be known
   
   • Tell them that you will be late
3. narrate or give a detailed account of;
   narrate, recount, recite
   
   • Tell what happened
   • The father told a story to his child
4. give instructions to or direct somebody to do something with authority;
   order, enjoin, say
   
   • I said to him to go home
   • She ordered him to do the shopping
   • The mother told the child to get dressed
5. discern or comprehend
   
   • He could tell that she was unhappy
6. inform positively and with certainty and confidence;
   assure
   
   • I tell you that man is a crook!
7. give evidence;
   evidence
   
   • he was telling on all his former colleague
8. mark as different;
   distinguish, separate, differentiate, secern, secernate, severalize, severalise, tell apart
   
   • We distinguish several kinds of maple