preface vs tell

preface is a noun but tell is not a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
preface	Yes	No	Yes	No
tell	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, tell is a hypernym of preface; that is, tell is a word with a broader meaning than preface:

Other hypernyms of preface include say, state.

preface (noun)	tell (noun)
a short introductory essay preceding the text of a book

preface (verb)	tell (verb)
furnish with a preface or introduction	discern or comprehend
	mark as different
	let something be known
	narrate or give a detailed account of
	give instructions to or direct somebody to do something with authority
	give evidence
	express in words
	inform positively and with certainty and confidence