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A handle, as of a mop; a stale. [Eng.]

A handle; a stale, or stele. [Archaic or Prov. Eng.] And in his hand a huge poleax did bear. Whose steale was iron-studded but not long. Spenser.

A stale, or handle; a stalk. [Obs.] Chaucer. Holland.

The relation of an incident or minor event; a short narrative; a tale; especially, a fictitious narrative less elaborate than a novel; a short romance. Addison.

One who tells stories; a narrator of anecdotes,incidents, or fictitious tales; as, an amusing story-teller.

To crowd with facts; to cram the mind of; sometimes, to crowd or fill with false or idle tales or fancies.

Possessing adequate talents or accomplishments; of competent power or ability; qualified; fit. Who is sufficient for these things 2 Cor. ii. 16.

earning, and the like; as, a superficial scholar; superficial knowledge. This superficial tale Is but a preface of her worthy praise. Shak. He is a presumptuous and superficial writer. Burke. That superficial judgment, which happens to be right without deserving to be so. J. H. Newman. -- Su`per*fi"cial*ly, adv. -- Su…

False accusation; calumniation; talebearing. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.

An informer; a talebearer. [Obs.] "Accusing sycophants, of all men, did best sort to his nature." Sir P. Sidney.

or about a dollar and forty cents; also, a weight of one ounce and a third. [Written also tale.]

continuous succession. Soon as the evening shades prevail, The moon takes up the wondrous tale. Addison.

ding will tarnish in a foul air. Till thy fresh glories, which now shine so bright, Grow stale and tarnish with our daily sight. Dryden.

To tell tales; to communicate secrets; to be a talebearer; as, a tattling girl.

One who tattles; an idle talker; one who tells tales. Jer. Taylor.

Given to idle talk; apt to tell tales. -- Tat"tling*ly, adv.

That which is told; tale; account. [R.] I am at the end of my tell. Walpole.

; mundane. Vain labors of terrestrial wit. Spenser. A genius bright and base, Of towering talents, and terrestrial aims. Young.

stablished toward the close of the twelfth century, in imitation of the Templars and Hospitalers, and composed chiefly of Teutons, or Germans. The order rapidly increased in numbers and strength till it became master of all Prussia, Livonia, and Pomerania. In its decay it was abolished by Napoleon; but it has been revi…

Annexed to that. "Thereby hangs a tale." Shak.