tattle
Use Tattle in a sentence
l verb (used without object)
1.
to let out secrets.
2.
to chatter, prate, or gossip.
verb (used with object)
3.
to utter idly; disclose by gossiping.
noun
4.
the act of tattling.
5.
idle talk; chatter; gossip.
Origin:
1475–85; < Dutch tatelen; cognate with Middle Low German tatelen
1475–85; < Dutch tatelen; cognate with Middle Low German tatelen
Related forms
tat·tling·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To tattle
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Tattle
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is fletcherise. Does it mean:
| to chew (food) slowly and thoroughly. |
| chat, to converse |
Collins
World English Dictionary
tattle (ˈtætəl) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| 1. | (intr) to gossip about another's personal matters or secrets |
| 2. | (tr) to reveal by gossiping: to tattle a person's secrets |
| 3. | (intr) to talk idly; chat |
| —n | |
| 4. | the act or an instance of tattling |
| 5. | a scandalmonger or gossip |
| [C15 (in the sense: to stammer, hesitate): from Middle Dutch tatelen to prate, of imitative origin] | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
tattle
late 15c., "to stammer, prattle," in Caxton's translation of "Reynard the Fox," probably from M.Flem. tatelen "to stutter," parallel to M.Du., M.L.G., E.Fris. tateren "to chatter, babble," possibly of imitative origin. The meaning "tell tales or secrets" is first recorded 1580s. Sense influenced by
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
Police officers are able to wait in their vehicles on the downstream side of the traffic signal and view the tattle-tale light.
The condition was that her sisters would be her boss, and that if she did not mind them, they had permission to tattle on her.
If you are a third party signer, your job is to be a tattle tale.
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