telltale Hear it!

telltale definition

tell·tale (tel′tāl′)

noun

  1. a person who tells secrets or informs; talebearer; tattler
  2. an outward indication of something secret
  3. any of various devices for indicating or recording information; indicator; specif.,
    1. ☆ a row of dangling ropes, etc. hung over a railroad track to warn trainmen, riding on top of a car, of an approaching low bridge, tunnel, etc.
    2. a device indicating the position of a ship's rudder
    3. a time clock
    4. a gauge on a pipe organ showing the air pressure

adjective

revealing or indicating that which is hidden or meant to be secret the telltale smell of alcohol on his breath

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.