talebearer
(ˈteɪlˌbɛərə(r))
[f. tale n. + bearer.]
One who officiously carries reports of private matters to gratify malice or idle curiosity.
| 1478 Maldon, Essex, Court Rolls (Bundle 50, No. 8), Isabella Aylemer est a taleberer betuyx man and man. 1560 J. Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 21 b, He admonisheth him to gyue no credit to talebearers. 1641 Hinde Life J. Bruen lii. 173 He would shut his eares against tale-bearers, being the very seed-men of strife. 1774 Mrs. Delany in Life & Corr. Ser. ii. (1862) II. 75 We have heard nothing by the newspapers, but they are false talebearers. 1855 Macaulay Hist. Eng. xii. III. 207 These words were spoken in private; but some talebearer repeated them to the Commons. |