Tell"tale` (?), a. Telling tales; babbling. "The telltale heart." Poe.

Tell"tale`, n. 1. One who officiously communicates information of the private concerns of others; one who tells that which prudence should suppress.

2. (Mus.) A movable piece of ivory, lead, or other material, connected with the bellows of an organ, that gives notice, by its position, when the wind is exhausted.

3. (Naut.) (a) A mechanical attachment to the steering wheel, which, in the absence of a tiller, shows the position of the helm. (b) 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.

4. (Mach.) A machine or contrivance for indicating or recording something, particularly for keeping a check upon employees, as factory hands, watchmen, drivers, check takers, and the like, by revealing to their employers what they have done or omitted.

5. (Zoöl.) The tattler. See Tattler.

Tell"tale`, n. 1. A thing that serves to disclose something or give information; a hint or indication.

It supplies many useful links and telltales.

2. (Railroads) An arrangement consisting of long strips, as of rope, wire, or leather, hanging from a bar over railroad tracks, in such a position as to warn freight brakemen of their approach to a low overhead bridge.

Tell"tale` (?), a. Telling tales; babbling. "The telltale heart." Poe.

Tell"tale`, n. 1. One who officiously communicates information of the private concerns of others; one who tells that which prudence should suppress.

2. (Mus.) A movable piece of ivory, lead, or other material, connected with the bellows of an organ, that gives notice, by its position, when the wind is exhausted.

3. (Naut.) (a) A mechanical attachment to the steering wheel, which, in the absence of a tiller, shows the position of the helm. (b) 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.

4. (Mach.) A machine or contrivance for indicating or recording something, particularly for keeping a check upon employees, as factory hands, watchmen, drivers, check takers, and the like, by revealing to their employers what they have done or omitted.

5. (Zoöl.) The tattler. See Tattler.

Tell"tale`, n. 1. A thing that serves to disclose something or give information; a hint or indication.

It supplies many useful links and telltales.

2. (Railroads) An arrangement consisting of long strips, as of rope, wire, or leather, hanging from a bar over railroad tracks, in such a position as to warn freight brakemen of their approach to a low overhead bridge.

• one who divulges private information with intent to hurt others
  
• tattletale; squealer (U.S. slang)
  
• something that serves to reveal something else
       
• The telltale was the lipstick on his shirt collar.
  
• (nautical) a length of yarn or ribbon attached to a sail to indicate the relative direction of the wind
  
• revealing something not intended to be known
       
• His eye was blinking, a telltale signal that he was lying.
       
• She blushed when he approached, a telltale sign that she was happy to see him.