tattler

tattle +‎ -er

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈtætl̩ɚ/, /ˈtætlɚ/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈtætl̩ə/, /ˈtætlə/
• Hyphenation: tat‧tler

tattler (plural tattlers)

1. One who tattles (notifies authorities of illicit behavior) or is inclined to do so; a tattletale.

   Synonyms: informant, narc, stool pigeon, tattletale; see also Thesaurus:informant

   My sister is a big tattler; she always tells Mommy when I hit her!

2. Either of two similar bird species in the shorebird genus Heteroscelus (Tringa in some taxonomies).
3. A device fitted to a vehicle to measure mileage etc.

   Synonym: tachograph

   • 1960, Edward Hogland, The circle home:

     A few truck drivers griped drowsily about the tattlers in their cabs which graphed the mileage per hour per day.

   • 2002, National Association of EMS Physicians, Prehospital Systems and Medical Oversight, page 270:

     Electronic monitors (black box, tattlers) help to define the actions of the driver during normal and emergent operation of the EMS unit.

• The tattletale sense is generally applied only to children.

• tartlet