gossip

n. [ OE. gossib, godsib, a relation or sponsor in baptism, a relation by a religious obligation, AS. godsibb, fr. god + sib alliance, relation; akin to G. sippe, Goth. sibja, and also to Skr. sabhā assembly. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. A sponsor; a godfather or a godmother. [ 1913 Webster ]

Should a great lady that was invited to be a gossip, in her place send her kitchen maid, 't would be ill taken. Selden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A friend or comrade; a companion; a familiar and customary acquaintance. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

My noble gossips, ye have been too prodigal. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. One who runs house to house, tattling and telling news; an idle tattler. [ 1913 Webster ]

The common chat of gossips when they meet. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. The tattle of a gossip; groundless rumor. [ 1913 Webster ]

Bubbles o'er like a city with gossip, scandal, and spite. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To stand sponsor to. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Gossiped p. pr. & vb. n. Gossiping. ] 1. To make merry. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To prate; to chat; to talk much. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To run about and tattle; to tell idle tales. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One given to gossip. Beaconsfield. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Cf. Kindred. ] The relationship between a person and his sponsors. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. Spiritual relationship or affinity; gossiprede; special intimacy. Bale. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Idle talk; gossip. Mrs. Browning. [ 1913 Webster ]