Telltale

//ˈtɛlteɪl// adj, noun

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Revealing something, especially something not intended to be known.

    "I noticed the snow was dirty, a telltale sign of recent human presence."

Adjective
  1. 1
    disclosing unintentionally something concealed wordnet
Noun
  1. 1
    One who divulges private information with intent to hurt others.

    "Your husband is at hand; I heare his Trumpet, / We are not tell-tales, Madam; feare you not."

  2. 2
    someone who gossips indiscreetly wordnet
  3. 3
    An indicator, such as a warning light, that serves to warn of a hazard or problem.

    "A railroad company, which has properly erected a “telltale,” or signal board, to give warning of the approach of a train to a bridge and which lights the place at night by an electric light, is not responsible for injury caused at night by the “telltale” to a brakeman who had been passing under it at regular intervals for five weeks, though when injured he was standing upon a new car higher than those before used, and though he ad received no warning from the company as to the danger of standing upon such a car while passing under the "telltale"."

  4. 4
    Something that serves to reveal something else. figuratively

    "The telltale was the lipstick on his shirt collar."

  5. 5
    A movable piece of ivory, lead, or other material, connected to the bellows of an organ, whose position indicates when the wind is exhausted.
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  1. 6
    A length of yarn or ribbon attached to a sail or shroud etc to indicate the direction of the flow of the air relative to the boat.

    "The sailmakers mistake can be an excellent way to lose a race as the telltale signals were disturbed and confusing."

  2. 7
    A mechanical attachment to the steering wheel, which, in the absence of a tiller, shows the position of the helm.
  3. 8
    A compass in the cabin of a vessel, usually placed where the captain can see it at all hours, and thus inform himself of the vessel's course.
  4. 9
    A machine or contrivance for indicating or recording something, particularly for keeping a check upon employees (factory hands, watchmen, drivers, etc.) by revealing to their employers what they have done or omitted.
  5. 10
    A bird, the tattler.
  6. 11
    A story or fable that has a moral or message.

    ""Metamorphoses . . ." is the title of a book of telltales (or serialised fables) written by Lucius Apulei¡us, a neo-platonist priest in the second century A.D."

Etymology

Etymology 1

From tell + tale, perhaps dissimilated from earlier taleteller, from Middle English tale tellere (literally “tale teller”).

Etymology 2

From tell + tale, perhaps dissimilated from earlier taleteller, from Middle English tale tellere (literally “tale teller”).

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