WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Tell"tale`
Part of Speech : a.
Definition : Defn: Telling tales; babbling. "The telltale heart." Poe.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913

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

2. (Mus.)

Defn: 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.)

Defn: 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. (Zo?l.)

Defn: The tattler. See Tattler.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913