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  • William Tell
    William Tell
    noun
    a legendary Swiss patriot forced by the Austrian governor to shoot an apple off his son's head with bow and arrow.
  • Tell, William
    Tell, William
    A legendary hero of Switzerland, famous for his skill as an archer. A tyrannical official forced him to shoot an apple off his son's head.

William Tell

American  

noun

  1. a legendary Swiss patriot forced by the Austrian governor to shoot an apple off his son's head with bow and arrow.


Tell, William Cultural  
  1. A legendary hero of Switzerland, famous for his skill as an archer. A tyrannical official forced him to shoot an apple off his son's head.


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.

See Examples For:

That’s why, McKinney says, motels like the Red Apple and William Tell chose to brand themselves so distinctively.

From Los Angeles Times May 15, 2025

Finally, the film gets surrealistic and even incorporates the William Tell scene from Burroughs' own life.

From Salon Dec. 1, 2024

There is Rat Island, nothing more than a pile of rocks with a strange statue of the Swiss folk hero William Tell.

From Scientific American Oct. 12, 2021

As the movie opens, Isaac’s character, William Tell, explains how he came to learn his trade: in military prison, where he’s been serving a sentence that only later comes fully into focus.

From Washington Post Sep. 8, 2021

Italian-born Gioachino Rossini, already famous, moved to Paris in 1824 and presented five operas there, including William Tell.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

Said the Herald-American: "Tell William . . . and let William Tell."

From Time Magazine Archive

Tell William and the other boys to keep their eyes open for him.

From Ruth Fielding in the Great Northwest Or, The Indian Girl Star of the Movies by Emerson, Alice B.

Tell William to have the carriage at the door at a quarter past three; and do you pack my dressing case, and the few things I shall need for two or three days' absence.

From Sir Noel's Heir A Novel by Fleming, May Agnes

"Tell William," said the doctor, "to drive round to the surgery before going on to Hamblyn Manor."

From The Squire's Daughter by Hocking, Silas K(itto)

Tell William to make some strong coffee as soon as possible.

From Macaria by Evans, Augusta J. (Augusta Jane)

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