Telltale

Quick meaning: Telltale is a noun meaning One who divulges private information with intent to hurt others.

Meaning

One who divulges private information with intent to hurt others.

More Meanings

1. An indicator, such as a warning light, that serves to warn of a hazard or problem.
2. (figuratively) Something that serves to reveal something else.
3. (nautical) A mechanical attachment to the steering wheel, which, in the absence of a tiller, shows the position of the helm.
4. (music) A movable piece of ivory, lead, or other material, connected to the bellows of an organ, whose position indicates when the wind is exhausted.
5. (nautical) 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.
6. (nautical) 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.
7. (engineering) 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.

Example Sentences

The Chinese girls who saw me yesterday are telltales. I'd better wait till dark.

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

Try to teach your child that there's a time to intervene and a time to mind your own business. Nobody loves a telltale.

There were some ill-natured people —tell-tales—it seemed, in Tamai; and hence there was a deal of mystery about getting up the dance.

Word Forms

• telltales
• tell-tale
• tell tale

Synonyms for telltale

Depending on context, synonyms include blabbermouth, gossip, rumormonger, squealer, talebearer, tattletale.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include tattletale, telling, talebearer, blabbermouth, revealing, informative.

Related Dictionary Tools