tell

transitive verb 1 : count, enumerate <tell the stars, if thou be able to number them — Gen 15:5(Authorized Version)>
2 a : to relate in detail : narrate <told the whole story to us> b : to give utterance to : say <could never tell a lie>
3 a : to make known : divulge, reveal <don't tell your password> b : to express in words <she never told her love — Shakespeare>
4 a : to give information to : inform <tell us about your job> b : to assure emphatically <they did not do it, I tell you>
5 : order, direct <told me to wait>
6 : to find out by observing : recognize <you can tell it's a masterpiece>intransitive verb 1 : to give an account <an article telling of her experience>
2 : to act as an informer —often used with on <I'll get even with you if you ever tell on me — Inside Detective>
3 : to have a marked effect <the pressure was beginning to tell on him>
4 : to serve as evidence or indication