- plural of tale.
tales
Americannoun
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(used with a plural verb) persons chosen to serve on the jury when the original panel is insufficiently large: originally selected from among those present in court.
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(used with a singular verb) the order or writ summoning such jurors.
noun
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(functioning as plural) a group of persons summoned from among those present in court or from bystanders to fill vacancies on a jury panel
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(functioning as singular) the writ summoning such jurors
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of tales
1300–50; Middle English < Medieval Latin tālēs ( dē circumstantibus ) such (of the bystanders)
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It was from the example of his flamboyant mother, whom everyone called Corky, that Mr. Coben developed the practice of setting his sensational tales in ordinary surroundings.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 8, 2026
It was something described luridly in old tales.
From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2026
In this era, powerful, complex stories of the intrepid human spirit sit next to ephemeral tales of cheaply made, mildew-ridden leggings.
From Salon ● Oct. 28, 2026
The lessons may appear to be the same, but the individuals often tell disturbing tales that only the gods could see coming.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 26, 2026
At that age, fairy tales were dark, simple things, their hidden metaphors worn down so that they fit comfortably in a child’s grasping hands.
From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
