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Webster 1828 Edition

Tell-tale

TELL'-TALE

,
Adj.
Telling tales; babbling.

TELL'-TALE

,
Noun.
[tell and tale.] One who officiously communicates information of the private concerns of individuals; one who tells that which prudence should suppress, and which if told, often does mischief among neighbors.
1.
A movable piece of ivory or lead on a chamber organ, that gives notice when the wind is exhausted.
2.
In seamanship, a small piece of wood, traversing in a groove across the front of the poop deck, and which, by communicating with a small barrel on the axis of the steering wheel, indicates the situation of the helm.

Definition 2024

tell-tale

tell-tale

See also: telltale

English

Adjective

tell-tale ‎(comparative more tell-tale, superlative most tell-tale)

  1. Alternative spelling of telltale

Derived terms

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