tale Definition

tale
noun

1. A story or narrative.

Thesaurus: story, yarn, narrative, fable, legend, fiction, anecdote, myth.
2. A false or malicious story or piece of gossip; a lie.

Thesaurus: fabrication, rumour, old wives' tale.

Idiom: tell tales

To disclose secret or private information, especially about another's wrongdoing, to someone in authority.

Idiom: tell tales out of school

To disclose confidential matters.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon talu.