tell

a Swiss patriot who lived in the early 14th century and who was renowned for his skill as an archer; according to legend an Austrian governor compelled him to shoot an apple from his son's head with his crossbow (which he did successfully without mishap)

express in words; "He said that he wanted to marry her"; "tell me what is bothering you"; "state your opinion"; "state your name"

let something be known; "Tell them that you will be late"

narrate or give a detailed account of; "Tell what happened"; "The father told a story to his child"

give instructions to or direct somebody to do something with authority; "I said to him to go home"; "She ordered him to do the shopping"; "The mother told the child to get dressed"

discern or comprehend; "He could tell that she was unhappy"

inform positively and with certainty and confidence; "I tell you that man is a crook!"

give evidence; "he was telling on all his former colleague"

mark as different; "We distinguish several kinds of maple"