telltale

«telltale» in Mova's school dictionary: a small clue that shows something is true or has… — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples, with 2 sentences of Mova's corpora that use it.

part of speech

adjective (telltale; also tell-tale); noun (a telltale, telltales)

meaning for a pupil

1) A telltale sign is a small clue that shows something is true or has happened: telltale crumbs on his face. tree →

2) (UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ; children's word) A telltale (or tell-tale) is a child who tells adults about other children's naughty behaviour, a tattletale (US). tree →

sense in the lessons

Stories and detective work: telltale signs and clues help solve a mystery. Science: «telltale signs» of a disease, or of rain. Playground: «Telltale tit!» is a rhyme children use to tease. Safety: telling a grown-up when someone is hurt, in danger or bullied is not being a telltale — it is the right thing to do.

examples

• The chocolate on his chin was a telltale sign. tree →
• Muddy paw prints were the telltale clues. tree →
• Don't be a telltale! tree →
• Telling a teacher about bullying is not being a telltale. tree →
• Yawning is a telltale sign you need sleep. tree →
• The telltale smoke showed where the fire was. tree →

note

Spelling: telltale or tell-tale (UK often hyphenated). US word for the person: tattletale. «Tell tales» (two words) = to tell on someone, or to tell lies. Getting help in danger is never «telling tales».

In the corpora

• Slang check: "narc" means a telltale; a "fiver" is a £5 note.
• "yabeda" means telltale or snitch, someone who tells the teacher; kids hate being called it.

Trees and pragmatics

Every meaning and example of «telltale» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.