tattle
pronunciation
How to pronounce tattle in British English:
UK [ˈtætl]
How to pronounce tattle in American English:
US [ˈtætl]
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- Noun:
- disclosing information or giving evidence about another
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- Verb:
- speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly
- divulge confidential information or secrets
Word Origin
- tattle (v.)
- late 15c., "to stammer, prattle," in Caxton's translation of "Reynard the Fox," probably from Middle Flemish tatelen "to stutter," parallel to Middle Dutch, Middle Low German, East Frisian tateren "to chatter, babble," possibly of imitative origin. The meaning "tell tales or secrets" is first recorded 1580s. Sense influenced by tittle. Related: Tattled; tattling. As a noun from 1520s. Tattler, the name of the famous periodical by Addison and Steele (1709-1711), means "idle talker, a gossip."
Example
- 1. But researchers at the future laboratory believe the future of television is in contact lenses , reportstv tattle .
- 2. When they come tattle I ask them if it 's a medical emergency .
- 3. It would put her in such a bad light as a chaperon . And if pitty did n 't tattle , she was safe .
- 4. The doctor and the lawyer both watched her go to tattle everything she had heard to her coworkers .
- 5. I explained to him that I wasn 't going to tattle on him or accuse her of anything or complain or be critical in any way .