tell tale
noun
1.
a person who heedlessly or maliciously reveals private or confidential matters; tattler; talebearer.
2.
a thing serving to reveal or disclose something.
3.
any of various indicating or registering devices, as a time clock.
4.
Music. a gauge on an organ for indicating the air pressure.
5.
an indicator showing the position of a ship's rudder.
6.
a row of strips hung over a track to warn train crew members on freight trains that a low bridge, tunnel, or the like is approaching.
7.
Yachting. (on a sailboat) a feather, string, or similar device, often attached to the port and starboard shrouds and to the backstay, to indicate the relative direction of the wind.
8.
Squash. a narrow piece of metal across the front wall of a court, parallel to and extending 17 inches (43.2 cm) above the base: a ball striking this is an out.
adjective
9.
that reveals or betrays what is not intended to be known: a telltale blush.
10.
giving notice or warning of something, as a mechanical device.
00:10
Tell tale
is always a great word to know.
So is callithumpian. Does it mean:
| a gadget; dingus; thingumbob. |
| a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes. |
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To tell tale
Collins
World English Dictionary
telltale (ˈtɛlˌteɪl) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | a person who tells tales about others |
| 2. | a. an outward indication of something concealed |
| b. (as modifier): a telltale paw mark | |
| 3. | any of various indicators or recording devices used to monitor a process, machine, etc |
| 4. | nautical |
| a. another word for dogvane | |
| b. one of a pair of light vanes mounted on the main shrouds of a sailing boat to indicate the apparent direction of the wind | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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