1. (a.) Serving to give clues or hints; as, a telltale sign of bad weather\.

2. (n.) One who officiously communicates information of the private concerns of others; one who tells that which prudence should suppress.

3. (n.) 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.

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

5. (n.) 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.

6. (n.) 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.

7. (n.) The tattler. See Tattler.

a tale-bearing animal babbling betrayal betrayer blab blabber blabberer blabbering blabbermouth blabbing broad hint busybody catchword clack clue communication leak cue cue word dead giveaway delator divulgation divulgement divulgence divulging evidence evulgation fink gentle hint gesture giveaway glimmer glimmering gossip gossip columnist gossiper gossipmonger hint hot lead implication index indication indiscretion informer inkling innuendo insinuation intimation key key word kick lead leak letting out look narc newsmonger newspaperman nod notion nudge obvious clue peacher prompt quidnunc reporter rumormonger scandalmonger scent sign signal snitch snitcher spoor spy squealer stool pigeon stoolie suggestion suspicion symptom tabby talebearer taleteller tattler tattletale telltale sign tip-off tittle-tattler trace track unwitting disclosure vestige whiff whisper whistle-blower wind wink yenta