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Telltale vs Counter - What's the difference?

telltale | counter |

In lang=en terms the difference between telltale and counter

is that telltale is a movable piece of ivory, lead, or other material, connected to the bellows of an organ, whose position indicates when the wind is exhausted while counter is alternative form of lang=en Formerly used to designate any under part which served for contrast to a principal part, but now used as equivalent to countertenor.

In nautical terms the difference between telltale and counter

is that telltale is 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 while counter is the after part of a vessel's body, from the water line to the stern, below and somewhat forward of the stern proper.

As nouns the difference between telltale and counter

is that telltale is one who divulges private information with intent to hurt others while counter is an object (now especially a small disc) used in counting or keeping count, or as a marker in games, etc.

As adjectives the difference between telltale and counter

is that telltale is revealing something not intended to be known while counter is contrary; opposite; contrasted; opposed; adverse; antagonistic.

As an adverb counter is

contrary, in opposition; in an opposite direction.

As a verb counter is

to contradict, oppose.

telltale

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • One who divulges private information with intent to hurt others.
  • (chiefly, US, slang) Tattletale; squealer.
  • Something that serves to reveal something else.
  • The telltale was the lipstick on his shirt collar.
  • (music) A movable piece of ivory, lead, or other material, connected to the bellows of an organ, whose position indicates when the wind is exhausted.
  • (nautical) A length of yarn or ribbon attached to a sail or shroud etc to indicate the direction of the flow of the air relative to the boat.
  • (nautical) A mechanical attachment to the steering wheel, which, in the absence of a tiller, shows the position of the helm.
  • (nautical) 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.
  • (engineering) A machine or contrivance for indicating or recording something, particularly for keeping a check upon employees (factory hands, watchmen, drivers, etc.) by revealing to their employers what they have done or omitted.
  • A bird, the tattler.
  • (Webster 1913)

    Synonyms

    * (one who divulges private information) blabbermouth, gossip, rumormonger, talebearer

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • revealing something not intended to be known
  • His eye was blinking, a telltale signal that he was lying.
    He blushed when he approached, a telltale sign that he was happy to see him.

    Derived terms

    * telltale compass

    counter

    English

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) (m), from (etyl) (m) (French (m)), from .

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An object (now especially a small disc) used in counting or keeping count, or as a marker in games, etc.
  • * He rolled a six on the dice, so moved his counter forward six spaces.
  • (curling) Any stone lying closer to the center than any of the opponent's stones.
  • A table or board on which money is counted and over which business is transacted; a shop tabletop on which goods are examined, weighed or measured.
  • * He put his money on the counter , and the shopkeeper put it in the till.
  • One who counts, or reckons up; a reckoner.
  • * He's only 16 months, but is already a good counter - he can count to 100.
  • A telltale; a contrivance attached to an engine, printing press, or other machine, for the purpose of counting the revolutions or the pulsations.
  • (historical) The prison attached to a city court; a Counter.
  • (grammar) A class of word used along with numbers to count objects and events, typically mass nouns. Although rare and optional in English (e.g. "20 head of cattle"), they are numerous and required in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.
  • In a kitchen, a surface, often built into the wall and above a cabinet, whereon various food preparations take place.
  • (wrestling) A proactive defensive hold or move in reaction to a hold or move by one's opponent.
  • * Always know a counter to any hold you try against your opponent.
  • (computing, programming) A variable, memory location, etc. whose contents are incremented to keep a count.
  • (computing, Internet) A hit counter.
  • Derived terms
    * bean counter * counter batten * countertop * hit counter * over the counter * program counter * rivet counter

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) contre, (etyl) cuntre, both from (etyl) contra.

    Adverb

    (-)
  • Contrary, in opposition; in an opposite direction.
  • * Running counter to all the rules of virtue. -Locks .
  • Noun

    (en noun)
  • (nautical) The overhanging stern of a vessel above the waterline.
  • (by extension) The piece of a shoe or a boot around the heel of the foot (above the heel of the shoe/boot).
  • * 1959 , , Seymour: An Introduction :
  • Seymour, sitting in an old corduroy armchair across the room, a cigarette going, wearing a blue shirt, gray slacks, moccasins with the counters broken down, a shaving cut on the side of his face [...].

    Etymology 3

    From counter- .

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To contradict, oppose.
  • (boxing) To return a blow while receiving one, as in boxing.
  • * His left hand countered provokingly. - C. Kingsley
  • To take action in response to; to respond.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2012-12-14
  • , author=Simon Jenkins, authorlink=Simon Jenkins , title=We mustn't overreact to North Korea boys' toys , volume=188, issue=2, page=23 , date=2012-12-21 , magazine= citation , passage=David Cameron insists that his latest communications data bill is “vital to counter terrorism”. Yet terror is mayhem. It is no threat to freedom. That threat is from counter-terror, from ministers capitulating to securocrats.}}

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Contrary; opposite; contrasted; opposed; adverse; antagonistic.
  • His carrying a knife was counter to my plan.
  • * I. Taylor
  • Innumerable facts attesting the counter principle.
    Derived terms
    * counter agent * counter fugue * counter current * counter revolution * counter poison : See also:

    Adverb

    (-)
  • In opposition; in an opposite direction; contrariwise.
  • * John Locke
  • running counter to all the rules of virtue
  • In the wrong way; contrary to the right course.
  • a hound that runs counter
  • * Shakespeare
  • This is counter , you false Danish dogs!
  • At or against the front or face.
  • * Sandys
  • which [darts] they never throw counter , but at the back of the flier

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (obsolete) An encounter.
  • * Spenser
  • with kindly counter under mimic shade
  • (nautical) The after part of a vessel's body, from the water line to the stern, below and somewhat forward of the stern proper.
  • (music) Formerly used to designate any under part which served for contrast to a principal part, but now used as equivalent to countertenor.
  • The breast, or that part of a horse between the shoulders and under the neck.
  • The back leather or heel part of a boot.
  • Anagrams

    * ----