casual and idle chat: to have a gossip with a friend
2.
a conversation involving malicious chatter or rumours about other people: a gossip about the neighbours
3.
Also called: gossipmonger a person who habitually talks about others, esp maliciously
4.
light easy communication: to write a letter full of gossip
5.
archaic a close woman friend
—vb (often foll by about) , -sips, -siping, -siped
6.
to talk casually or maliciously (about other people)
[Old English godsibb godparent, from god + sib; the term came to be applied to familiar friends, esp a woman's female friends at the birth of a child, hence a person, esp a woman, fond of light talk]