Etymology

Noun

1. a type of story.

   the Canterbury Tales

2. A number told or counted off; a reckoning by count; an enumeration.
   • 1843 Thomas Carlyle, Past and Present, book 2, ch. 5, Twelfth Century

     They proceeded with some rigour, these Custodiars; took written inventories, clapt-on seals, exacted everywhere strict tale and measure

Related terms

• telltale
• fairy tale, fairytale
• tall tale
• tell tales