definition of
telling

[1] #1 telling s. [revealing, telltale] disclosing unintentionally; "a telling smile"; "a telltale panel of lights"; "a telltale patch of oil on the water marked where the boat went down". wn

[2] #2 telling n. [relation, recounting] an act of narration; "he was the hero according to his own relation"; "his endless recounting of the incident eventually became unbearable". wn

[3] #3 telling n. [apprisal, notification] informing by words. wn

[4] #4 telling n. [tattle, singing] disclosing information or giving evidence about another. wn

[5] #5 telling s. [impressive] producing a strong effect; "gave an impressive performance as Othello"; "a telling gesture". wn