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gossip (n.)

Old English godsibb "sponsor, godparent," from God + sibb "relative" (see sibling). Extended in Middle English to "a familiar acquaintance, a friend, neighbor" (c. 1300), especially to woman friends invited to attend a birth, later to "anyone engaging in familiar or idle talk" (1560s). Sense extended 1811 to "trifling talk, groundless rumor." Similar formations in Old Norse guðsifja, Old Saxon guþziff.

gossip (v.)

"to talk idly about the affairs of others," 1620s, from gossip (n.). Related: Gossiped; gossiping.

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Definitions of gossip from WordNet
1
gossip (n.)
light informal conversation for social occasions;
Synonyms: chitchat / chit-chat / chit chat / small talk / gab / gabfest / tittle-tattle / chin wag / chin-wag / chin wagging / chin-wagging / causerie
gossip (n.)
a report (often malicious) about the behavior of other people;
the divorce caused much gossip
Synonyms: comment / scuttlebutt
gossip (n.)
a person given to gossiping and divulging personal information about others;
Synonyms: gossiper / gossipmonger / rumormonger / rumourmonger / newsmonger
2
gossip (v.)
wag one's tongue; speak about others and reveal secrets or intimacies;
Synonyms: dish the dirt
gossip (v.)
talk socially without exchanging too much information;
Synonyms: chew the fat / shoot the breeze / chat / confabulate / confab / chitchat / chit-chat / chatter / chaffer / natter / jaw / claver / visit
From wordnet.princeton.edu