ˈtell-truth ? Obs.
Also 6 -troath, 7–8 -troth.
1. One who or that which tells the truth; a veracious or candid person or writing.
| 1558 Cranmer's Confut. Unwritten Verities Pref. B iv b, Which sermon & al other tel truthes, openinge the abuses and tirannye of the bishop of Rome, are now put to silence. 1580 H. Gifford Gilloflowers (1875) 147 Is not Tom teltroath euerywhere, A busie cockcombe deem[d]e? 1600 J. Lane Tom Tel-troth 5 That, like a tell-troth, it may boldly blaze. 1618 Barnevelt's Apology C, Are you, with whome lying is familiar and ordinary, a telle-truth? 1692 Washington tr. Milton's Def. Pop. v. M.'s Wks. 1851 VII. 139 But hear what follows, my honest Tell-troth. 1700 J. A. Astry tr. Saavedra-Faxardo I. 345 Would these Tell-truths be guided by Prudence..a Prince would more value Truth. 1809–10 Coleridge Friend vi. (1865) 27 Tell-truths in the service of falsehood we find everywhere. |
2. The telling of the truth; candour. rare.
| a 1734 North Lives (1826) II. 419 He was very seldom guilty of offence to any except in the way of tell-truth, which he could scarce ever forbear. |