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.