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talebearer

American  
[teyl-bair-er] / ˈteɪlˌbɛər ər /

noun

  1. a person who spreads gossip, secrets, etc., that may cause trouble or harm.


Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Etymology

Origin of talebearer

First recorded in 1470–80; tale + bearer

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“A talebearer revealeth secrets,” says Proverbs in an early complaint, “but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.”

From New York Times • Feb. 2, 2019

Its talebearer is gaunt, ghost-grey Dr. Hereward Carrington, director of the American Psychical Institute, an oldtime spook-hunter who likes to spend his vacations in haunted houses.

From Time Magazine Archive

Fred R. Pfister Branson, Mo. Talking about the lives of other people direct�judgment away from the talebearer while he is enjoying personal participation.

From Time Magazine Archive

Unpredictably clever, obscurely erudite, obstinately elusive about answering his own questions, Sloan could be the Comrade V. of novelists: the talebearer as dehumanized intellect.

From Time Magazine Archive

The talebearer was taken aback, stammered out a qualification, or begged that no notice might be taken of the statement.

From Weighed and Wanting Addresses on the Ten Commandments by Moody, Dwight Lyman

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