What does "rumor" mean?

Rumor: Great is the rumor of this dreadful knight. Shak.

Additional senses

  1. 2.A current story passing from one person to another, without any known authority for its truth; -- in this sense often personified. Rumor next, and Chance, And Tumult, and Confusion, all embroiled. Milton.
  2. 3.A prolonged; indistinct noise. [Obs.] Shak.
  3. 4.To report by rumor; to tell. 'T was rumored My father 'scaped from out the citadel. Dryden.

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