outtell
Rare / ArchaicLiterary, Poetic, Archaic
Definition
Meaning
To surpass or exceed in telling, narrating, or predicting; to tell more, better, or more accurately than someone else.
Can also imply outdoing in influence through speech, such as persuading or convincing more effectively.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often found in older or poetic texts. It can refer to outdoing in the act of counting ('out-tell' as in 'out-number') or in recounting tales. The meaning is highly context-dependent.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant modern regional difference due to its rarity. Historically used in both British and American literary contexts.
Connotations
Connotes a dramatic or competitive act of narration or revelation.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both varieties, slightly more likely to be encountered in British historical poetry.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] + outtell + [Object (person/group)][Subject] + outtell + [Object] + in + [area of telling]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To outtell the tale of... (archaic)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Rare, found only in literary analysis of historical texts.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Not applicable.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The bard could outtell any in the kingdom with his epic tales.
- Her memoir sought to outtell all previous accounts of the war.
American English
- In the campfire contest, he managed to outtell every other storyteller.
- The prophet's vision seemed to outtell the events of the coming decade.
adverb
British English
- No common adverbial form in use.
American English
- No common adverbial form in use.
adjective
British English
- No common adjectival form in use.
American English
- No common adjectival form in use.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The ancient chronicle aims to outtell all other versions of the legend.
- She could outtell her friends with the most amusing anecdotes.
- No mere historian could outtell Gibbon in the grand sweep of his narrative.
- The novel's intricate plot outtells any simple summary of its events.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a storyteller OUT in front, TELLing a story better than anyone else. OUT + TELL = to tell better than others.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATION AS A COMPETITION (to out-tell is to win in a contest of narration).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'рассказать' (to tell) alone; it requires a competitive/comparative prefix like 'превзойти в рассказе'.
- Avoid literal translation as 'внетелл' – it is non-existent.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a synonym for 'reveal' or 'disclose' without the comparative/competitive element.
- Using in modern conversational contexts.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'outtell' most likely to be found?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered rare, archaic, or literary. It is not used in everyday modern conversation or writing.
Not precisely. Its core meaning is comparative – to tell *better* or *more* than someone else. The content (e.g., a secret) is secondary to the act of surpassing.
The main challenge is ensuring the context supports the meaning of 'surpassing in telling.' It requires a direct or implied comparison.
It appears in older poetry, such as in the works of John Dryden: 'And may you long your thankful voices raise / To him that out-tells the length of happy days.'