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telltale

telltale

26 6.3
Showing something hidden, often without meaning to
  • adjective
  • /ˈtɛlˌteɪl/
: delator
  • The broken window was a telltale indicator of a recent burglary.
  • a telltale sign
  • a telltale signature
  • telltale white

It watches us watch it, our faulty eyes, our telltale heat, hearts ticking through our shirts.

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Examples

  • Any day now, our children might be covered with the telltale red spots.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • At least it does its best to not show the telltale signs of laser cutting and joinery.

  • There are certain telltale signs of a party.

  • Watch for the telltale signs of corruption.

  • I ran my hand across the cotton daisies looking for telltale signs; there were none.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • I was interested to see that there was no telltale bulge in his jacket.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Always use cash, so there aren't even any telltale credit card signatures.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • Leaves the telltale signs of a break-in... and gains entrance.

  • In the meantime, during regular examinations, eye doctors can see the telltale signs of early, intermediate, and advanced AMD.

    Academic text (2003)
  • An army of prosecution experts testified that Natalie exhibited all the telltale signs of severe shaking.

    Academic text (2011)

Synonyms

telling
vstelltale
94 4.4

Showing something important or having a strong effect

is a quieter indicator that suggests something without dramatic effect
revealing
vstelltale
81 4.0

Showing information or parts that were hidden before

is an unintentional sign that points to something hidden

Compounds

A mark in the ground that shows someone was there

How Revealing

revealing
81 4.0
obvious
∞ 1.0
telltale
26 6.3
suggestive
19 5.2
subtle
339 6.0

Surface Forms

telltale positive

Morphology

telltale = tell + tale (transparent) = tell + tale

The adjective meaning 'revealing' follows directly from the compound components 'tell' + 'tale' meaning something that 'tells' or reveals.

Etymology

Telltale comes from the simple words tell and tale, literally 'to tell a story'. So a telltale sign 'tells' you what really happened, which is why the adjective means 'revealing' or 'showing' something hidden.