The action of imparting accusatory or incriminatory intelligence against a person; an instance of this, a charge, an accusation. Obsolete.

The accusing or denouncing of offenders against the law. Cf. promote, v. 6. Obsolete.

The carrying of injurious or malicious reports. Also attributive.

An accusing or bringing a charge against, esp. on the part of an informer; informing against; accusation, denouncement, criminal information.

The trade or occupation of an informer; calumnious accusation, tale-bearing. Now only in Ancient Greek History: see sycophant, n. 1.

The action or practice of informing on or giving incriminating evidence against an accomplice or associate.

blowing the gap: blowing the gaff, giving information.

The action of nose, v.1 (in various senses of the verb); an instance of this.

Originally: †accusation, formal indictment (obsolete). Later: the action of informing against someone.

slang. The practice of informing or rounding on someone. Now rare.

U.S. slang. An act of informing against another.

The giving of information or evidence, spec. against one's accomplices in crime. slang.

The action of turning informer or laying information against someone. Cf. sing, v.1 4d. Criminals' slang.

(alsoattributive).

The action of betraying, informing, ‘telling on’ someone. Frequently as dobbing in.