gossipn.
/ˈɡɒsɪp/, U.S. /ˈɡɑsəp/ 1. One who has contracted spiritual affinity with another by acting as a sponsor at a baptism.figurative.1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius 407 b And this place ye Catholicke gosseppes have Christened by the name of Purgatory.1607 T. Middleton Michaelmas Terme iii. sig. F4v I would neuer vndertake to bee Gossip to that bond which I would not see well brought vp.1673 R. Leigh Transproser Rehears'd 8 Who would be Gossip to all the nameless Off-springs of the Press.† b. transferred. With reference to the christening of a bell. Obsolete.† c. In relation to the parents: (One's) child's godfather or godmother. Obsolete.† d. In relation to one who acts as godfather or godmother on the same occasion: A fellow-sponsor.† e. gen. Obsolete.
a. In relation to the person baptized: A godfather or godmother; a sponsor. Now only archaic and dialect.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > kinsman or relation > parent > [noun] > godparent
gossip1014
spiritual parent1526
witness1597
godparent1693
society > faith > worship > sacrament > baptism > [noun] > person undergoing > sponsor of
godmothereOE
godfathereOE
gossip1014
spiritual parent1526
testimony1547
surety1549
undertaker1645
sponsor1651
susceptor1655
godparent1693
sponsorial1836
1014 Wulfstan Sermo ad Anglos (Napier) 160 Godsibbas and godbearn to fela man forspilde wide gynd þas þeode.
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 48 Þe zeuende is..of godsone to þe children of his godzyb oþer of his godzybbe.
1590 H. Barrow & J. Greenwood Coll. Sclaunderous Articles G The rashe, vndiscreete, and vnpossible vowe of the saide gossipps.
a1684 J. Evelyn Diary anno 1649 (1955) II. 567 The Parents being so poore, that they had provided no Gosships.
1689 R. Milward Selden's Table-talk 44 Should a great Lady, that was invited to be a Gossip, in her place send her Kitchin-Maid.
1711 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. (1889) III. 194 Fully designed to come and stand gossip in person to Dr. Hudson's child.
1770 S. Foote Lame Lover i. 12 Do you know that you are new christen'd, and have had me for a gossip?
1819 S. Rogers Human Life 7 Now, glad at heart, the gossips breathe their prayer.
1856 C. M. Yonge Daisy Chain i. ix. 78 I'll find gossips, and let 'em be Christened on Sunday.
1876 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest V. xxv. 560 The Englishman whose child was held at the font by a Norman gossip..cast aside his own name.
1886 R. E. G. Cole Gloss. Words S.-W. Lincs. (at cited word) I suppose the same gossips will do for both.
ΚΠ
1563 J. Foxe Actes & Monuments 380/1 The bel hauing a new garment put vppon it..they goo vnto sumptuous bankets, wherevnto also the Gossips are bidden.
1778 T. Pennant Tour in Wales I. 34 A bell..was also christened..The gossips..were doubtlessly rich persons.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > kinsman or relation > parent > [noun] > godparent > one's child's
gossipc1325
c1325 Lai le Freine 42 He schal mi gossibbe be.
1475 J. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 488 He was fayn to sue to þe said Duc..by þe meanes of his godsip þe Bisshop of Wynchestre. [He was sponsor to the Duke's daughter.]
a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) II. f. clxvv Which Wyllyam..was Gossyp vnto the Quene.
c1610 J. Melville Mem. Own Life (1683) 70 I requested her majesty to be a gossip to the Queen.
1612 J. Davies Discouerie Causes Ireland 111 The English were forbidden to marry, to foster, to make Gossippes with the Irish.
1631 B. Jonson Staple of Newes Induct. 18 in Wks. II And those Mothers had Gossips (if their children were christned) as we are.
1698 M. Martin Late Voy. St. Kilda 148 The Officer..condescended to be the Impostor's Gossip, i.e. Sponsor at the Baptism of one of his Children.
1893 P. W. Joyce Short Hist. Ireland 88 When a man stood sponsor for a child..he became the child's godfather, and gossip to the parents.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > kinsman or relation > parent > [noun] > godparent > fellow
gossipc1386
compadre1939
c1386 G. Chaucer Parson's Tale ⁋835 A womman may in no lasse synne assemblen with hire godsib, than with hire owene flesshly brother.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 204/2 Gossyp, mann, compater. Gossyp, woman, commater.
1564 T. Becon Actes Christ & Antichrist f. 416 in Wks. iii Christen Gossippes..those men and women that haue bene Godfathers and Godmothers together of one childe at Baptisme.
a1640 J. Fletcher & P. Massinger Spanish Curat ii. i, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. E3v/2 Lea. I have heard him say, you were Gossips too. Lop... You did not heare him say, to whom?
1666 S. Pepys Diary 2 Dec. (1972) VII. 394 I took my pretty gossip to White-hall with us.
ΚΠ
c1315 Shoreham 69 In that cas thou myȝt weddy To thyne wyfes gossibbe.
c1386 G. Chaucer Parson's Tale ⁋834 Parentele is in two maneres, outher goostly or fleshly; goostly, as for to delen with hise godsibbes.
2. in extended use.1664 S. Butler Hudibras: Second Pt. ii. i. 8 To do the office of a Neighbour, And be a Gossip at his Labour.
a. A familiar acquaintance, friend, chum. Formerly applied to both sexes, now only (somewhat archaic) to women. (A sense apparently derived more immediately from 1c.)The expression in quot. 1652 is apparently the name of some rustic game or dance.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > friendliness > [noun] > friend
friendOE
wineOE
fellowa1225
friendmana1250
lovera1275
amic1330
gossipc1390
mikea1400
ally1406
amykec1450
favourer1483
favourite1590
palc1770
butty1791
amigo1813
amico1820
compadre1834
pally1863
tillicum1869
nigger1884
buddy1895
paxc1900
mutual1901
righto1908
segotia1917
bud1924
palsy1930
palsy-walsy1932
buddy-buddy1943
winger1943
mucker1947
main man1956
goombah1968
gabba1970
money1982
c1390 (a1376) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Vernon) (1867) A. v. 152 ‘Ichaue good ale, gossib’, quod heo, ‘Gloten, woltou asaye?’
1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. vii. 47 What ich gaf for godes loue, to god-sybbes ich tolde.
a1450 Knt. de la Tour (1868) 79 There was a false bauude that was her godsib.
a1529 J. Skelton Tunnyng of Elynour Rummyng in Certayne Bks. (?1545) 356 Lo, gossyp, I wys, Thus and thus it is.
c1560 T. Ingelend Disobedient Child F ij b She is to her Gossypes gone to make mery.
1652 R. Brome Joviall Crew ii. sig. D2v He makes us even sick of his sadness, that were wont to see my Ghossips cock to day; mould Cocklebread; daunce clutterdepouch [etc.].
1766 H. Brooke Fool of Quality II. xi. 176 Barnaby Boniface, his next neighbour and gossip.
1820 J. Keats Eve of St. Agnes in Lamia & Other Poems 89 Ah, Gossip dear, We're safe enough; here in this arm-chair sit.
a1855 C. Brontë Professor (1857) I. xi. 180 The old duenna—my mother's gossip.
1873 ‘Ouida’ Pascarèl I. 65 His mother too, was a gossip of her own.
b. esp. Applied to a woman's female friends invited to be present at a birth.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > friendliness > [noun] > friend > female friend > woman's > invited to attend a birth
gossip1600
1600 W. Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream ii. i. 47 Sometime lurke I in a gossippes bole, In very likenesse of a rosted crabbe. View more context for this quotation
1620 Swetnam Arraign'd (1880) 44 Bidding of Gossips, calling to Vpsittings.
a1661 T. Fuller Worthies (1662) i. 55 They are as good evidence to prove where they were born, as if we had the deposition of the Midwife, and all the Gossips present at their Mothers labours.
1721–1800 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. A gossiping, a merry Meeting of Gossips, at a Woman's Lying in.
1764 T. Legg Low-life (ed. 3) 29 Poor labouring Men..are obliged to..go a Nigiting, i.e. fetching Midwives, Nurses and Gossips.
1805 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 14 258 The officiousness of nurses and gossips.
1858 M. Porteous Real Souter Johnny (ed. 2) 31 Whan your nieve the gossip streikit.
3. A person, mostly a woman, of light and trifling character, esp. one who delights in idle talk; a newsmonger, a tattler.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > information > rumour > [noun] > tale-bearer
rounderOE
blabc1374
tale-teller1377
clatterer1388
tittlerc1400
talebearer1478
whisterer1519
whisperer1547
telltale1548
tattler1549
clatterfart1552
tale-carrier1552
babbler?1555
gossip1566
gossiper1568
carry-tale1577
mumble-news1598
twitter1598
buzzer1604
blob-talea1670
gadabout1757
tell-pie1771
circulator1792
clype1825
windjammer1880
tattle-tale1889
panta1908
clatfarta1930
the mind > language > speech > conversation > [noun] > chatting or chat > one who chats or gossips
kikelot?c1225
mathelild?c1225
cacklec1230
tutelerc1385
tittererc1400
roukera1425
trattlerc1485
flimmerc1530
tattler1549
chatter1561
gossip1566
gossiper1568
tittle-tattle1571
chatmate1599
fiddle-faddle1602
tittle-tattler1602
confabulator1659
twittle-twat1662
shat1709
prittle-prattle1725
tattle-basket1736
small-talker1762
nash-gab1816
granny1861
windjammer1880
schmoozer1899
scuttlebutt gossip1901
wag-tongue1902
coffee-houser1907
kibitzer1925
clatfarta1930
natterer1959
yacker1959
rapper1967
village gossip1972
1566 [see gossip-like adj. and adv. at Compounds 1d].
1580 J. Lyly Euphues (new ed.) f. 11v I will..bringe..a visarde on my face, for a shamelesse gossippe.
1600 T. Dekker Old Fortunatus sig. B3v I wonder what blind Gossip this minx is, that is so prodigall.
1614 T. Adams Diuells Banket vi. 320 There arise, in the end..as many Gospels as Gossips.
1687 J. Dryden Hind & Panther iii. 123 The common chat of Gossips when they meet.
1709 T. Hearne Remarks & Coll. (1886) II. 212 John Stevens..a negligent, busy, prating Gossip.
1716 J. Addison Freeholder No. 26. 144 A Gossip in Politics is a Slattern in her Family.
1833 H. Martineau Loom & Lugger i. i. 6 If he did not mean the girls to grow up the greatest gossips in the neighbourhood.
1854 R. W. Emerson Soc. Aims in Wks. (1906) III. 176 Why need you, who are not a gossip, talk as a gossip?
1884 J. H. Ewing Mary's Meadow 13 The Weeding Woman is a great gossip.
4. The conversation of such a person; idle talk; trifling or groundless rumour; tittle-tattle. Also, in a more favourable sense: Easy, unrestrained talk or writing, esp. about persons or social incidents.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > information > rumour > [noun]
speechc1000
wordOE
hearinga1300
opinion1340
talesa1375
famea1387
inklinga1400
slandera1400
noising1422
rumour?a1425
bruit1477
nickinga1500
commoninga1513
roarc1520
murmura1522
hearsay?1533
cry1569
scandal1596
vogue1626
discourse1677
sough1716
circulation1775
gossip1811
myth1849
breeze1879
sound1899
potin1922
dirt1926
rumble1929
skinny1938
labrish1942
lie and story1950
scam1964
he-say-she-say1972
factoid1973
ripple1977
goss1985
the mind > language > speech > conversation > [noun] > chatting or chat > gossiping > gossip
jowl?c1225
trattle1513
tittle-tattle1570
tattle1583
clatter1596
street web1614
town talk1642
street-threada1661
clash1685
fetch-fire1784
street yarn1800
gossip1811
village gossip1847
Russian scandal1861
chopsing1879
cooze1880
reportage1881
skeet1900
scuttlebutt gossip1901
pussy-talk1937
mauvais languec1945
comess1970
he-say-she-say1972
gyaff1975
skinder1979
goss1985
gist1990
the mind > language > speech > conversation > [noun] > chatting or chat
confabulationc1450
device1490
chat1573
tittle-tattle?c1640
small talk1650
confab1701
chit-chat1710
jaw1748
small-talking1786
prose1787
rap1787
coze1804
talky-talky1812
clack1813
chit-chatting1823
cozey1837
gossip1849
mardlea1852
yarn1857
conflab1873
chinwag1879
chopsing1879
cooze1880
chatting1884
schmoozing1884
talky-talk1884
pitch1888
schmooze1895
coosy1903
wongi1929
yap1930
kibitz1931
natter1943
old talk1956
jaw-jaw1958
yacking1959
ole talk1964
rapping1967
1811 Sporting Mag. 37 11 I was up to his gossip, so I took him.
1820 W. Irving Sketch Bk. II. 358 A kind of travelling gazette, carrying the whole budget of local gossip from house to house.
1833 H. Martineau Loom & Lugger i. i. 6 All this gossip about their neighbours.
1849 Ld. Houghton Let. 17 Dec. in T. W. Reid Life Ld. Houghton (1890) I. x. 439 A sort of focus of political gossip.
1870 E. Peacock Ralf Skirlaugh I. 27 We are fond of topographical gossip.
1889 J. M. Barrie Window in Thrums xix. 177 My presence killed the gossip on her tongue.
5. Some kind of game. (Cf. Scandal.)
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > other specific games > [noun] > others
sitisota1400
papsea1450
half-bowl1477
pluck at the crow1523
white and black1555
running game1581
blow-pointa1586
hot cocklesa1586
one penny1585
cockelty bread1595
pouch1600
venter-point1600
hinch-pinch1603
hardhead1606
poor and rich1621
rowland-hoe1622
hubbub1634
handicap?a1653
owl1653
ostomachy1656
prelledsa1660
quarter-spellsa1660
yert-point1659
bob-her1702
score1710
parson has lost his cloak1712
drop (also throw) (the) handkerchief1754
French Fox1759
goal1765
warpling o' the green1768
start1788
kiss-in-the-ring1801
steal-clothes1809
steal-coat1816
petits paquets1821
bocce1828
graces1831
Jack-in-the-box1836
hot hand1849
sparrow-mumbling1852
Aunt Sally1858
gossip1880
Tambaroora1882
spoof1884
fishpond1892
nim1901
diabolo1906
Kim's game1908
beaver1910
treasure-hunt1913
roll-down1915
rock scissors paper1927
scissors cut paper1927
scissors game1927
the dozens1928
toad in the hole1930
game1932
scissors paper stone1932
Roshambo1936
Marco Polo1938
scavenger hunt1940
skish1940
rock paper scissors1947
to play chicken1949
sounding1962
joning1970
arcade game1978
1880 M. Allan-Olney New Virginians II. 202 We had a few games, ‘Gossip’, very amusing—I don't know whether English or American.
Compounds
C1. General attributive.
a. (Appositive in senses 2, 3.)
gossip-nurse n.
ΚΠ
1826 T. Hood Sea Spell in Whims & Oddities 133 A baby's caul; A thing, as gossip-nurses know, That always brings a squall!
gossip-seer n.
ΚΠ
1842 F. Howes Horace's Sat. i. ix. 39 Now, now I see the doom approaching near, Which once was told me by a gossip-seer.
b. (In sense 4.)
gossip-exchange n.
ΚΠ
1963 Times 25 May 9/7 Everyone will know through the sewing-shop gossip-exchange.
gossip-gleaner n.
ΚΠ
1853 W. J. Hickie tr. Aristophanes Comedies II. 574 Do you say this of me, you gossip-gleaner?
gossip-monger n.
ΚΠ
1836 T. Hook Gilbert Gurney III. iii. 140 Several of those meddling gossip-mongers, who invariably infest small country town society.
1868 E. Edwards Life Sir W. Ralegh I. viii. 119 A few weeks later, Sir Francis Allen informs that great gossip-monger, Anthony Bacon [etc.].
gossip-mongering n.
ΚΠ
1893 Athenæum 7 Oct. 487/2 What merit it possesses consists in..the mischievous gossip-mongering of a certain Lady Dahlia Wormwood.
gossip-shop n.
ΚΠ
1824 M. R. Mitford Our Village (1863) I. 208 A gossip-shop called ‘literary’..where he talks and reads newspapers.
1965 M. Morse Unattached v. 153 The Hartford Swimming Club, which he described as ‘virtually a gossip shop’.
gossip-writing n.
ΚΠ
1936 A. Huxley Olive Tree 117 Nowhere else in Europe is gossip-writing a highly paid and creditable profession; nowhere else would such a headline as ‘Peer's Cousin in Car Smash’ be..imaginable.
c.
gossip-greedy adj.
ΚΠ
1904 Daily Chron. 12 Dec. 4/4 Another of those scandal books of which the credulous, gossip-greedy public have..been treated to a singular crop.
d. (In sense 3.)
gossip-like adj. and adv.
ΚΠ
1566 T. Drant tr. Horace Medicinable Morall sig. Hviij Full gosseplike, the father sage, Beginnes his fable then.
1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing v. i. 182 I wil leaue you now to your gossep-like humor. View more context for this quotation
?1708 Welsh-monster 35 Let him..Tattle but Gossip like, to please 'em.
gossip-wise adv.
ΚΠ
1863 C. C. Clarke Shakespeare-characters xviii. 469 Some citizens meet in the street and talk, gossip-wise, about the ill~ordering of government.
C2. † gossip-cup n. Obsolete† gossip-pint-pot n. Obsolete a hard drinker.
gossip column n. the column or columns of a newspaper or magazine in which gossip about persons or social events is printed; so gossip-columnist
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > journalism > journal > parts and layout of journals > [noun] > specific columns
theatricals1763
gossip column1859
personal column1859
money column1871
social column1871
1859 J. Blackwood Let. 18 Apr. in ‘G. Eliot’ Lett. (1954) III. 52 We had better set a paragraph afloat... Can you do it in the Athenæum or any of the other weekly literary gossip columns?
1897 G. Meredith Let. 20 Dec. (1970) III. 1285 I comply, but love your Gossip Column least.
1930 J. B. Priestley Angel Pavement ii. 57 Mr. Smeeth..next tried the gossip columns.
1933 H. Nicolson Diary 29 Jan. (1966) 135 A gossip-column writer in a Chicago newspaper.
1938 L. MacNeice Earth Compels 59 It's no go the gossip column.
1945 A. Koestler Twilight Bar 8 Glowworm, poet and gossip-columnist.
1959 Times Lit. Suppl. 4 Sept. 505/2 His friends are song-writers, gossip-columnists, [etc.].
1962 Times 7 June 17/3 Rich gossip-column meat.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > intoxicating liquor > hot alcoholic drinks (with milk or eggs) > [noun] > caudle
caudlec1325
gossip's cup1594
gossip-cup1633
1633 J. Hart Κλινικη Introd. 20 A cup of good ale, with some nutmegg, suger, and a tost, a good gossip cup I confesse.
gossip-money n. gratuities to the sponsors at a christening.
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > worship > benefice > other financial matters > [noun] > payment to specific person > to godparents
gossip-money1845
1845 S. Smith Fragm. Irish Roman Catholic Church in Wks. (1859) II. 339/1 The same scenes of altercation take place when gossip-money is refused at baptisms.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > thirst > excess in drinking > [noun] > one who drinks to excess
houndOE
drinkerc1200
keach-cup?c1225
gulchcupa1250
bollerc1320
taverner1340
ale stake?1515
wine-bibber1535
bibber1536
swill-bowl1542
malt-wormc1550
rinse-pitcher1552
bibblera1556
ale knight1556
tosspot1568
ring-pigger1570
troll-the-bowl1575
malt-bug1577
gossip-pint-pot1580
black pot1582
alehouse knight1583
worrier1584
suck-spigot1585
bezzle1592
bezzlera1593
cup-leech1593
soaker1593
carouser1596
barley-cap1598
swiller1598
rob-pot1599
Philistine1600
sponge1600
wine-knight1601
fill-knaga1605
reel-pot1604
faithful1609
fill-pot1609
bouser1611
spigot-sucker1611
suck-pint1611
whip-can1611
bib-all-night1612
afternoon man1615
potling1616
Bacchanalian1617
bombard1617
pot-shot1617
potisuge1620
trougha1625
tumbrila1625
borachioa1627
pot-leech1630
kill-pota1637
biberon1637
bang-pitcher1639
son of Bacchusc1640
shuffler1642
suck-bottlea1652
swill-pot1653
poter1657
potatora1660
old soaker1665
fuddle cap1666
old toast1668
bubber1669
toper1673
ale-toast1691
Bacchant1699
fuddler1699
swill-belly1699
tickle-pitcher1699
whetter1709
draughtsmanc1720
bender1728
drammer1740
dram-drinker1744
drammist1756
rum-bud1805
siper1805
Bacchanal1812
boozera1819
rum-sucker1819
soak1820
imp of the spigot1821
polyposist1821
wineskin1821
sack-guzzler1823
sitfast1828
swill-flagon1829
cup-man1834
swiper1836
Lushington1851
lushing-man1859
bloat1860
pottle pot1860
tipsificator1873
tipsifier1873
pegger1874
swizzler1876
bibulant1883
toss-cup1883
lusher1895
stew-bum1902
shicker1906
stiff1907
souse1915
booze-hound1926
stumblebum1932
tanker1932
lush-hound1935
lushy1944
lush-head1945
binge drinker1946
pisshead1946
hophead1948
1580 C. Hollyband Treasurie French Tong at Croque He is a gossip pintepot.
gossip's cup n. = caudle n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > intoxicating liquor > hot alcoholic drinks (with milk or eggs) > [noun] > caudle
caudlec1325
gossip's cup1594
gossip-cup1633
1594 H. Plat Diuers Chimicall Concl. Distillation 14 in Jewell House If you will make a right Gossips Cuppe that shall farre exceede all the Ale.
gossip-writer n.
ΚΠ
1931 Punch 4 Nov. 499/2 Mr. Punch's Crown of Buttered Buns for Deserving Gossip-Writers goes this week to the creator of the following.
1961 Ann. Reg. 1960 6 One pleasing feature of the engagement was that the gossip writers of the press..had entirely failed to forecast the event.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
gossipv.
/ˈɡɒsɪp/, U.S. /ˈɡɑsəp/ΘΚΠ
society > faith > worship > sacrament > baptism > baptize [verb (transitive)] > sponsor
answereOE
heavec1175
to fang toc1420
gossipa1616
a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) i. i. 171 Pretty fond adoptious christendomes That blinking Cupid gossips . View more context for this quotation
1716 M. Davies Athenæ Britannicæ II. 241 Arius's..Heathenish Pamphlet, gossop'd by the name of the..Fabulous Thalia (tho' too gentile a Miss for such Mock-Christenings of Sorcery-Ballads).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > friendliness > be friendly [verb (intransitive)] > be someone's sweetheart, friend, or partner > act as gossip or familiar acquaintance
gossip1611
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Voisiner,..to gossip it, or goe to visit neighbours.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) v. i. 408 With all my heart, Ile Gossip at this feast. View more context for this quotation
1645 J. Milton Tetrachordon 52 When sin revels and gossips within the arcenal of law..this is a faire limitation indeede.
3. figurative and in extended use.1785 W. Cowper Task v. 60 Now from the roost, or from the neighb'ring pale, Where..they gossiped side by side.1853 W. C. Bryant Poems (new ed.) 108 The cheerful rivulet sung And gossiped, as he hastened ocean-ward.1863 H. W. Longfellow Interlude i. iii, in Tales Wayside Inn 29 Wild birds gossiping overhead.
a. To talk idly, mostly about other people's affairs; to go about tattling.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > information > rumour > [verb (intransitive)] > bear tales or rumours
talea1225
tittlec1400
twittle1551
tattle1581
clavera1605
gossip1627
twita1643
clasha1689
fetch-and-carry1770
clype1843
clatfart1913
tattle-tale1918
labrish1935
1627 M. Drayton Moone-calfe in Battaile Agincourt 166 Mother Bumby, a mad iocund Mate As euer Gossipt.
1669 H. More Expos. 7 Epist. Pref. sig. b 2 Swarms of men..went gadding and gossipping up and down, telling odd Stories to the people.
1786 F. Burney Diary & Lett. (1842) III. v. 195 I rang vainly for my maid..; she was gossiping out of hearing.
1846 C. G. F. Gore Sketches Eng. Char. I. 35 You gossip everywhere, of every thing.
1872 Earl of Pembroke & G. H. Kingsley South Sea Bubbles iii. 70 [We] called and gossipped for an hour with Mr. Saville and his family.
b. To write in a gossiping style.
ΚΠ
1885 Manch. Guard. 20 July 5/5 A writer in All the Year Round gossips pleasantly on..the pets of authors.
4. transitive. To tell like a gossip; to communicate. Also with around, out, over.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > information > rumour > [verb (transitive)] > bear tales or rumours
bearOE
scandalize1490
tattle1593
gossip1611
to give abouta1715
to call the clash1825
1611 T. Heywood Golden Age i. sig. B3v It is so Gossipt in the Queenes chamber.
1650 R. Stapleton tr. F. Strada De Bello Belgico i. 20 The secret lay not long in the Embers, being gossiped out by a woman.
1798 J. H. Tooke Επεα Πτεροεντα (ed. 2) I. viii. 228 The substance of the Criticisms..was..gossiped by the present precious Secretary at War.
1827 J. Clare Shepherd's Cal. 2 And wisdom, gossip'd from the stars.
1880 G. R. Sims Ballads of Babylon 30 And they gossiped her story over in language a bit too plain.
1951 W. H. Auden Nones (1952) 5 Pawed-at and gossiped-over By the promiscuous crowd.
1956 W. Neil tr. W. Keller Bible as Hist. vii. xxxi. 294 Two unusual dreams..were gossiped around the whole of the ancient orient.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
<
n.1014v.1611