tell time en · VERB
Etymology
From tell in the sense of “count”.
Meanings
-
To measure time, to determine the current time.
Ancient civilizations told time at night by the passage of stars.
-
(specifically) To read the time as displayed on an analog clock.
He couldn't tell time until he was in his teens.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| telling time | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| tells time | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| tell the time | alternative | lexicographic | |
| told time | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| told time | Tense=Past | lexicographic |
Synonyms
Translations (5)
fr chronométrer (to measure time) · pt ler as horas (to read a clock) · fr dire l'heure (to read a clock) · fr donner l'heure (to read a clock) · fr donner l'heure (to measure time)