I. ˈrümə(r) noun
( -s )
Usage: see -or
Etymology: Middle English rumour, from Middle French, from Latin rumor; akin to Old English rēon to lament, Middle High German rienen to moan, complain, Old Norse rymja to roar, grumble, rymr coarse voice, Latin ravus hoarse, ravis hoarseness, Greek ōryesthai to howl, roar, Sanskrit rauti he roars, cries
1.
a. : common talk or opinion : widely disseminated belief having no discernible foundation or source : hearsay
rumor puts the amount at about 5000 kegs — W.Z.Ripley
we make our blunders … as rumor has it that you make your own — B.N.Cardozo
b. : an instance of rumor : a statement or report current without any known authority for its truth
almost every newspaper issue brought rumors of reduction in their salaries — V.G.Heiser
especially : an unconfirmed piece of information or explanation disseminated among the public by other than formal news agencies or sources
one of the community's most creative gossips begins to circulate the rumor that she is either a spy or a saboteur — Charles Lee
tips and rumors … would send shares … up to thousands, and down again to the gutter — American Guide Series: Nevada
c. archaic : talk or report of a notable person or event : fame
great is the rumor of this dreadful knight and his achievements of no less account — Shakespeare
2.
a. archaic : a prolonged indistinct noise : clamor , uproar
b. : a soft low indistinct sound : murmur
a rumor of vespers in the chapel
II. transitive verb
( rumored ; rumored ; rumoring -m(ə)riŋ ; rumors )
Usage: see -or
: to tell by rumor : give out tidings of : noise abroad