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talebearer

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
See also: tale-bearer and tale bearer

English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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From Middle English taleberer; equivalent to talebearer.

Noun

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talebearer (plural talebearers)

  1. An indiscreet person who spreads gossip.
    • 1820, Sir Walter Scott, chapter 4, in The Abbot:
      "To speak the truth when my lady commands me," answered the prudential major-domo, "is in some measure my duty, Mistress Lilias; always providing for and excepting those cases in which it cannot be spoken without breeding mischief and inconvenience to myself or my fellow-servants; for the tongue of a tale-bearer breaketh bones as well as Jeddart-staff."
    • 1902, Annie Fellows Johnston, chapter 5, in Flip's ‘Islands of Providence’:
      There is always some thoughtless talebearer ready to gather up the arrows of gossip and thrust them into the quivering heart of the victim.

Synonyms

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Translations

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