Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word tally. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word tally, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say tally in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word tally you have here. The definition of the word tally will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition oftally, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
(Air Traffic Control): Speedbird 123, New York, traffic at two o’clock, seven miles, a Boeing 737, west-bound, at 4000 feet.
(Pilot): New York, Speedbird 123, tally.
Usage notes
In aviation radio usage, more common than original tallyho. In civilian aviation usage, the official term for “traffic sighted” is “traffic in sight”.[1]
(by extension) One of two books, sheets of paper, etc., on which corresponding accounts were kept.
(by extension) Any account or score kept by notches or marks, whether on wood or paper, or in a book, especially one kept in duplicate.
2011 September 2, Phil McNulty, “Bulgaria 0-3 England”, in BBC:
Bulgaria, inevitably, raised the tempo in the opening moments of the second half and keeper Joe Hart was forced into his first meaningful action to block a deflected corner - but England were soon threatening to add to their goal tally.
1884, Ben Bierley, “Treadlepin Fold”, in Tales and Sketches of Lancashire Life, page 47:
But I’d advise thee t’ live tally for o that, if thou con mak it reet wi’ some owd damsel, ut does no’ care what folk say’n about owt o’th’sort.
1890, F.C. Birkbeck Terry, “Tally-woman”, in Notes and Queries, page 297:
It is used in Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cheshire, and, I dare say, various other counties. A tally-woman is the mistress of a married man, who is said to live tally with her.
2012, Ruth Hamilton, Lights of Liverpool:
Don, I don't care if we live tally, cos we don't need certificates except for proof of insanity.
Then turnips isn't such good sale yet, but they may be soon, for winter's best for them. […] I buy turnips by the 'tally.' A tally's five dozen bunches.
1890, Gardeners' Chronicle, volume 7, page 15:
A bunch of Turnips, 12 and upwards. A bunch of Leeks, 6 and upwards. Bunches of Greens and of herbs vary much, according to kind, size, and season. Roll of Celery = 6, 8, to 12 heads. A tally = five dozen.
2019, Li Huang, James Lambert, “Another Arrow for the Quiver: A New Methodology for Multilingual Researchers”, in Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, →DOI, page 4:
The counter tallied the languages people were conversing in while walking along a set route that wove back and forth through the chairs and tables.
1822, Alexander Pope, quoting Jonathon Swift, “Letter IV. From Dr. Swift to Mr. Pope. August 30, 1716”, in The Works of Alexander Pope, volume 9, with notes by Joseph Warton, page 11:
I am sorry to find they are not so well tallied to the present juncture as I could wish.
This credulity will not be challenged here; yet it may be remarked that, assuming the unlimited and unvarying benevolence of the powerful planners, our analysis shows that it may be impossible for them ever to find out whether the results of their measures tally with their good intentions.
2019, Li Huang, James Lambert, “Another Arrow for the Quiver: A New Methodology for Multilingual Researchers”, in Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, →DOI, page 9:
However, one abiding weakness with such data collection is that people’s beliefs about their speech habits may not necessarily tally with reality.
1873 August, William Mitchell, “Shipping and mercantile gazette correspondence”, in The Nautical Magazine, page 697:
I loaded a cargo of potatoes in Dublin, for Bangor and Caernarvon, all in bags, for three different parties—viz. 13 tons delivered at Bangor, which was tallied in and out; remainder to Caernarvon, and was not tallied in, but tallied out.