tell-tale noun & adjective.
['tɛlteɪl] M16.[from TELL verb + TALE noun.]A. noun.
1. A person who or thing which reveals something not intended to be made known;
spec. (a) a person who discloses (esp. discreditable) information about another's private affairs or behaviour, a tale-bearer, a tattler (also nursery & colloq.,
tell-tale-tit);
(b) a small hidden object placed so that its disturbance reveals any intrusion.
M16.b. Any of various sandpipers whose loud alarm call scatters ducks and other game-birds, esp. (
US) a yellowlegs.
E19.2. A device for the automatic monitoring or registering of a process etc.; an indicator, a gauge;
spec. (a) Building a piece of glass or clear plastic, often graduated, fixed over a crack in a building to reveal any further movement in the fabric;
(b) a light on the dashboard of a motor vehicle showing when the direction indicator or main-beam lights are in use.
E19.b. attrib. or as
adjective. That tells tales, that is a tell-tale.
L16.■ D. Barlow Careful examination will reveal the tell-tale nits attached to the hairs. [TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲