Tale (1 syl.)

A tally; a reckoning. In Exod. v. we have tale of bricks. A measure by number, not by weight.

An old wife’s tale. Any marvellous legendary story.

To tell tales out of school. To utter abroad affairs not meant for the public ear.

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.