hearsay

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth
  2. adjective heard through another rather than directly

Etymology

From Middle English hyere-zigginge (1340), here sey (ca. 1438), from the phrase heren seien (“to hear [people] say”). Compare equally old Middle High German hœrsagen (14th c.), whence modern Hörensagen.

In classic literature

Synonyms

rumor, rumour

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