Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- intransitive verb To reveal the plans or activities of another, especially ones that are secret or improper.
- intransitive verb To chatter; prate.
- intransitive verb To reveal (something about someone) to another, as through gossiping.
- noun Idle talk; chatter; prattle.
- noun A tattletale.
from The Century Dictionary.
- To prate; talk idly; use many words with little meaning; prattle; chatter; chat.
- To gossip; carry tales. See tattling, p. a.
- To utter idly; blab.
- noun Prate; idle talk or chat; trifling talk.
- noun Synonyms Chatter, Babble, etc. See
prattle .
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- noun Idle talk or chat; trifling talk; prate.
- intransitive verb To prate; to talk idly; to use many words with little meaning; to chat.
- intransitive verb To tell tales; to communicate secrets; to be a talebearer.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- verb intransitive, pejorative To
report others'wrongdoings orviolations ; totell on somebody; togossip or to discloseincriminating information. - verb intransitive To
chatter . - noun A
tattletale . - noun
Gossip ; idle talk.
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- verb speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly
- noun disclosing information or giving evidence about another
- verb divulge confidential information or secrets
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
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Examples
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Twittle-twattle, which in his day combined the senses now expressed by twaddle and tittle-tattle, is a 'vile word.'
On Dictionaries 1969
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Twittle-twattle, which in his day combined the senses now expressed by twaddle and tittle-tattle, is a 'vile word.'
On Dictionaries 1924
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However, it's easy to imagine lots of non-murderous people will be subject to them as an arse covering measure by supernintendos on the basis of nothing more than title tattle and unproven allegations.
The Policeman's Blog 2010
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So Louise now confides in Julianne some of Helen's newer gossip, it's more scandalous tittle-tattle, which is Harvey's cue to make his sweet little exit, hisbe right back, and walk along the Chattahoochee, where he can kneel by the rocks, check for wriggling bodies under the stones along the river.
Julianne cully perlman 2010
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After much consternation (come on – who, even years after kindergarten, wants to be known as a tattle tale?), she decided to SAY something, just as the slogan plastered all over NYC since 9-11 suggests.
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After much consternation (come on – who, even years after kindergarten, wants to be known as a tattle tale?), she decided to SAY something, just as the slogan plastered all over NYC since 9-11 suggests.
July 2007 2007
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Of course, I just took it because I didn't want to be called a tattle tale and get harassed even more.
general erections 2007
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Do you have any phobias or fears that would disqualify you from torture, such as: drowning, bugs, Christmas Carols, being called a tattle-tale, etc.?
PoliticalDerby.com Neil Braithwaite 2009
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Paul's fear didn't subside there, as his interviewer can be heard asking him about "tattle" crews who were supposedly dispatched to report instances of people badmouthing President Obama.
Rand Paul Compared Obama's Rise To Power To Hitler's In 2009 (VIDEO) The Huffington Post News Team 2010
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Paul's fear didn't subside there, as his interviewer can be heard asking him about "tattle" crews who were supposedly dispatched to report instances of people badmouthing President Obama.
Rand Paul Compared Obama's Rise To Power To Hitler's In 2009 (VIDEO) The Huffington Post News Team 2010
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