Emily Dickinson Lexicon

TELL'-TALE, n. [tell and tale.]

1. One who officiously communicates information of the private concerns of individuals; one who tells that which prudence should suppress, and which if told, often does mischief among neighbors. Milton. Shak.
2. A movable piece of ivory or lead on a chamber organ, that gives notice when the wind is exhausted. Busby.
3. In seamanship, a small piece of wood, traversing in a groove across the front of the poop deck, and which, by communicating with a small barrel on the axis of the steering wheel, indicates the situation of the helm. Mar. Dict.