Bruit
Noun
- A report or rumor.
Verb
- Spread (a report or rumor) widely.
Example Sentences
“It’s just a bruit, but I heard that there’s a surprise musical guest lined up for the last night of the festival.”
“Until all the facts are in, don’t bruit around any information.”
“Have you heard the bruit that we’re getting next week off?”
Word Origin
Old French, 15th century
Why this word?
Sometimes a rumor can be louder than the truth, and the origins of this word speak to that. From the Old French “bruire” (“to roar”) and “bruit” (“noise”) comes the English word “bruit,” which can be used as both a noun and a verb. As a noun it’s the rumor itself, but as a verb it means to spread rumors widely. Don’t bruit any bruits until you have all the facts.
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