telltale

 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++tell·tale1 /ˈtelteɪl/ adjective  telltale signs/marks etc CLEAR/EASY TO UNDERSTANDsigns etc that clearly show something has happened or exists, often something that is a secret 泄露秘密的痕迹/标记等 They examined the child carefully, looking for telltale signs of abuse. 他们仔细检查了那个孩子，寻找被虐待的痕迹。

Examples from the Corpus

telltale• Internal haemorrhaging spills blood into the stomach, and this causes a telltale black vomit.• The kelp bass with their telltale checkerboard markings are fabled in these waters.• Their spacing is regular, a telltale mark that the flow field around each sea pen defines the optimum spacing of neighbors.• She removed the briefs and felt the telltale moisture below.• The out-of-state addresses were a telltale sign that the children were illegally adopted.• It was a telltale sign that water was seeping through the canyon walls, softening the mica shale and conglomerate abutment.• Teachers are encouraged to look for telltale signs of abuse among their students.• The great majority, once they breach the system and hear the telltale whine, are out of there like a shot.telltale2 noun [countable] British English  LIE DOWNa child who tells adults about other children’s secrets or bad behaviour – used by children to show disapproval 爱搬弄是非的小孩，打小报告者〔儿语，含贬义〕 SYN American English tattletale

Examples from the Corpus

telltale• Only professional decorum prevented me from picking up the remaining telltale and gnawing greedily away.• Any false starts or false moves will result in error and the telltale bugs.

tell·tale1 adjectivetelltale2 nounChineseSyllable  

exists, signs has often clearly etc Corpus that something show happened or

telltale

I

tell‧tale¹ /ˈtelteɪl/ adjective
telltale signs/marks etc signs etc that clearly show something has happened or exists, often something that is a secret:
    They examined the child carefully, looking for telltale signs of abuse.

II

telltale² noun [countable] British English
a child who tells adults about other children’s secrets or bad behaviour – used by children to show disapproval
   SYN  tattletale American English