Revealing, significant, or having a marked effect in showing the true nature of something. Producing a strong or important effect.
From Old English 'tellan' meaning 'to count, relate, or narrate,' related to German 'zählen' (to count). The adjective sense of 'revealing' developed from the idea of 'speaking volumes' or providing meaningful information.
The connection between 'telling' as narrating and 'telling' as revealing reflects an ancient truth: stories have always been our primary way of understanding meaning and significance. When something is 'telling,' it narrates a deeper story about reality.
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