Tale, n.
1. That which is told; an oral relation or recital; any rehearsal of what has occured; narrative; discourse; statement; history; story. “The tale of Troy divine.” --Milton. “In such manner rime is Dante's tale.” --Chaucer.
We spend our years as a tale that is told. --Ps. xc. 9.
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, and 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. Law A count or declaration. [Obs.]
To tell tale of, to make account of. [Obs.]
Therefore little tale hath he told
Of any dream, so holy was his heart. --Chaucer.
Syn: -- Anecdote; story; fable; incident; memoir; relation; account; legend; narrative.