talebearer

plural talebearers · alternative tale bearer · alternative tale-bearer

1. An indiscreet person who spreads gossip or blame.

   There is always some thoughtless talebearer ready to gather up the arrows of gossip and thrust them into the quivering heart of the victim.

   1902, Annie Fellows Johnston, chapter 5, in Flip's ‘Islands of Providence’

   1 more example

   "To speak the truth when my lady commands me," answered the prudential major-domo, "is in some measure my duty, Mistress Lilias; always providing for and excepting those cases in which it cannot be spoken without breeding mischief and inconvenience to myself or my fellow-servants; for the tongue of a tale-bearer breaketh bones as well as Jeddart-staff."

   1820, Sir Walter Scott, chapter 4, in The Abbot

   Synonyms: blabbermouth, gossip, rumormonger, telltale