tell-truth

plural tell-truths · alternative tell-troth · alternative telltroth · alternative telltruth

1. obsoleteAn honest and truthful person.

   But page 58. he thinks he hath for ever undone my reputation as an Expoſitor, even as much as I, and thouſands more, believe his Anſwer hath undone his reputation for a Tell-truth.

   1673, John Faldo, A Vindication of Quakeriſm no Christianity, page 28

   2 more examples

   When we know a tale-teller is neer us, we are very carefull what we ſay or doe. Why? we have alwaies a tell-truth in our boſoms, where ever we go, or whatſoever we do; who will tell all to the Judge of all the world, that we think, ſpeake, or do[…]

   1643, NIcholas Lockyer, A Divine Discovery of Sincerity, published 1649, page 63

   "I am no tell-tale." "It is a tell-truth that we require. You think that you are betraying your fellows but I say that you are not. You are defending the realm and you are defending them too. It is for their wellbeing and their protection that as much as possible be known. In knowledge lies safety."

   2001, Philip Gooden, Death of Kings (Shakespearean Murder; 2)

   Synonyms: nonliar, truthteller

comparative more tell-truth · superlative most tell-truth · alternative tell-troth · alternative telltroth · alternative telltruth

1. obsoleteExposing the truth; revealing; illuminating.

   Because the sun has a tell-truth ray, / He's shut from the magic wonders

   1835 November 28, “Pleasure”, in The Universalist and Ladies' Repository, volume 4, Boston, page 238

   1 more example

   In short, Ovid's Imagination in his Metamorphoſes never made more unaccountable Changes, than would appear thro' ſuch a Tell-truth Mirrour […]

   1747, Sarah Fielding, “Letter XXXII: Cynthia to Camilla at London”, in Familiar Letters Between the Principal Characters in David Simple, volume 2, page 149