talebearer

See also: tale-bearer and tale bearer

English

Alternative forms

• tale bearer, tale-bearer

Etymology

tale +‎ bearer

Noun

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

• blabbermouth, gossip, rumormonger, telltale; see also Thesaurus:gossiper