Tale

n. [A-S. talu, from telian, tellan, to tell; Icel. tal, tala, Dan. tale, Sw. tal, D. taal, L. Ger. taal, tall, O. H. Ger. zala, M. H. Ger. zal, N. H. Ger. zahl. See TELL.]

1. That which is told; an oral relation.
2. A number told or counted off; a reckoning by count; an enumeration; a count, in distinction from measure or weight; a number reckoned or stated. “The ignorant, who measure by tale, not by weight.” Hooker.

And every shepherd tells his tale, Under the hawthorn in the dale. Milton. In packing, they keep a just tale of the number. Carew. 3. A rehearsal of what has occurred; a narrative; a story; information. “The tale of Troy divine.” Milton. Birds are aptest by their voice to tell tales what they find. Bacon.

4. (Law.) A count or declaration. [Obs.]
5. (Com.) The same as TAEL, q. v.

Syn.—Anecdote; story; fable; incident; memoir; relation; account; a legend; narrative.