Tell, v. i. 1. To give an account; to make report.
That I may publish with the voice of thankgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works. Ps. xxvi. 7.
2. To take effect; to produce a marked effect; as, every shot tells; every expression tells.
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.
Lest they should tell on us, saying, So did David. 1 Sam. xxvii. 11.