teil
C2 / Very Low Frequency / Archaic/DialectalArchaic, Literary, Dialectal (Scottish/Northern English), Technical (historical contexts). Not used in contemporary standard English outside fixed expressions or deliberate archaism.
Definition
Meaning
A verb meaning to share, distribute, or apportion something, often used in archaic, literary, or specific regional contexts. It derives from Old English and is largely obsolete in modern general English, though it persists in dialects and set phrases.
To tell, recount, or narrate (archaic); to count, reckon, or consider; to distribute by counting or allotting. In Scottish and Northern English dialects, it can mean 'to count' or 'to number'.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb is a causative related to 'tale' and 'tell'. Its primary modern survival is in the past participle 'teind' (a Scottish term for a tithe) and the phrase 'God speed the plough' variant ('every man to his teind'). Do not confuse with the German noun 'Teil' (part).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, the word is recognised as archaic or dialectal, primarily in Scottish contexts ('teind'). In American English, it is virtually unknown except in historical or highly literary texts.
Connotations
British (Scottish): historical, ecclesiastical (tithing). General Archaic: poetic, formal distribution. American: obscure, historical.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both variants. Slightly higher recognition in UK due to Scottish legal/historical term 'teind'.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[SUBJ] teil [OBJ] among/to [RECIPIENTS][SUBJ] teil out [OBJ][SUBJ] teil [OBJ] [ADVERBIAL] (e.g., equally)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Every man to his teind”
- “To teil out justice (archaic)”
- “To teil the tale (archaic for 'to tell the story')”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical studies of land tenure, medieval economics, or dialectology.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
In historical Scottish law/ecclesiastics referring to 'teind' (tithe).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The laird would teil the land among his tenants.
- In the old tale, the king teiled out gold to the brave.
American English
- The historical text noted the steward would teil provisions weekly.
- (Rare) The poem described how fate would teil our destinies.
adverb
British English
- (Not used as an adverb)
American English
- (Not used as an adverb)
adjective
British English
- (Only as past participle) The teinded funds were sent to the kirk.
- The teiled portion was surprisingly small.
American English
- (Virtually unused in any form.)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- (Not applicable for A2 level)
- (Not recommended for B1 level. Use 'share' or 'give' instead.)
- The old law stated that the harvest must be teiled equally among the villagers. (Historical context)
- The bard began to teil his tale of knights and dragons, using the archaic verb to create a medieval atmosphere.
- The concept of teinding, or tithing, was crucial to the Scottish medieval economy.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'TEIL' is like 'deal' but with a 'T' for 'Tithe' or 'Tell' – you DEAL out or TELL about a share.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISTRIBUTION IS APPORTIONING / SHARING IS COUNTING OUT.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- False friend with German 'Teil' (= part). Not related. Do not use for 'part' or 'share' in modern English.
- Confusion with modern 'tell'. 'Teil' is not the modern verb 'to tell'.
- Avoid using entirely; opt for 'distribute' or 'allot'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'teil' in contemporary contexts.
- Spelling as 'teal' (the colour/duck).
- Pronouncing with a diphthong (/teɪl/). It's /tiːl/.
- Using it transitively without a recipient phrase (e.g., 'He teiled the money' is unclear).
Practice
Quiz
In which context might you encounter the word 'teil'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is classified as archaic or dialectal. Learners should avoid using it in contemporary speech or writing and instead use synonyms like 'distribute' or 'allot'.
The Scottish form 'teind' is a direct cognate and historical variant of 'tithe', meaning a one-tenth tax or levy for the church. 'Teil' is the verb from which 'teind' (thing teiled/taken as a tenth) is derived.
Yes, but this is an obsolete meaning. In Middle and Early Modern English, 'teil' was a variant of 'tell' in the sense of 'count, recount, narrate'. This meaning is no longer in use.
Absolutely not. It is not tested and its use would be marked as archaic or erroneous. Focus on its modern synonyms.