sb. Obs. Forms: 1 tǽl, 4 tél, teyl, 5 tele. [OE. tǽl fem. (also tál: see TOLE) OHG. zâla danger, snare, trap, ON. tál bait, allurement. OTeut. *tǣlâ str. fem., had app. some such general sense as ‘hostile or malevolent attack, persecution,’ whence the specialized senses in the various langs. See also TELE v.]
1. Evil speaking, detraction, calumny, blame.
c. 897. K. Ælfred, Gregory’s Past. C., xxxiii. 222. Ælc ðweora, & ælc ierre … & tæl sie anumen fram eow.
a. 1000. Gloss., in Wr.-Wülcker, 196/16. Blasphemia, uituperatio, tæl. Ibid., 220/23.
1303. R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 2042. But þogh a man sey neuer so weyl Vnto hys sawys men fynden teyl.
2. Deceit; enticement, allurement.
c. 1300. Havelok, 191. Þat he sholde yemen hire wel Withuten lac, with-uten tel Til þat she were tuelf winter hold.
a. 1450. Myrc, Par. Pr., 368. So with cha[r]mes & wyth tele, He ys I-broȝte aȝeyn to hele.
