n. (Zool.) A small African monkey (Cercopithecus talapoin or Miopithecus talapoin) -- called also melarhine. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ Pg. talapoi, talapoin, name for Buddhist priest, fr. Siamese t‘ama p‘ră; t‘ama, honorific title + p‘ră priest. ] A Buddhist monk or priest. [ Ceylon & Indo-China ] [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

‖n. pl. [ L., from talaris pertaining to the ankles, fr. talus ankle. ] (Class. Myth.) Small wings or winged shoes represented as fastened to the ankles, -- chiefly used as an attribute of Mercury. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A sort of dog, noted for quick scent and eager pursuit of game. [ Obs. ] Wase (1654). [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The figure of a dog is borne in the arms of the Talbot family, whence, perhaps, the name. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Photog.) Same as Calotype. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ F. talc; cf. Sp. & It. talco, LL. talcus; all fr. Ar. talq. ] (Min.) A soft mineral of a soapy feel and a greenish, whitish, or grayish color, usually occurring in foliated masses. It is hydrous silicate of magnesia. Steatite, or soapstone, is a compact granular variety. [ 1913 Webster ]

Indurated talc, an impure, slaty talc, with a nearly compact texture, and greater hardness than common talc; -- called also talc slate. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. [ Cf. F. talqueux. ] (Min.) Of or pertaining to talc; composed of, or resembling, talc. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖n. [ NL. ] (Min.) Same as Talc. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. See Tael. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ AS. talu number, speech, narrative; akin to D. taal speech, language, G. zahl number, OHG. zala, Icel. tal, tala, number, speech, Sw. tal, Dan. tal number, tale speech, Goth. talzjan to instruct. Cf. Tell, v. t., Toll a tax, also Talk, v. i. ] 1. That which is told; an oral relation or recital; any rehearsal of what has occured; narrative; discourse; statement; history; story. “The tale of Troy divine.” Milton. “In such manner rime is Dante's tale.” Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

We spend our years as a tale that is told. Ps. xc. 9. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A number told or counted off; a reckoning by count; an enumeration; a count, in distinction from measure or weight; a number reckoned or stated. [ 1913 Webster ]

The ignorant, . . . who measure by tale, and not by weight. Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

And every shepherd tells his tale,
Under the hawthorn in the dale. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

In packing, they keep a just tale of the number. Carew. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Law) A count or declaration. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

To tell tale of, to make account of. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Therefore little tale hath he told
Of any dream, so holy was his heart. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Anecdote; story; fable; incident; memoir; relation; account; legend; narrative. [ 1913 Webster ]