grapevine

Plural: grapevines

Noun

• gossip spread by spoken communication
• any of numerous woody vines of genus Vitis bearing clusters of edible berries
• The plant, a vine of genus Vitis, on which grapes grow.
• An informal person-to-person means of circulating information or gossip.
• A rumor.
• A move in which the feet are alternately placed in front of each other, while both remaining on the ice or ground, incorporating half-turns.
• A leglock.
• A dance figure in partner dancing that includes sidesteps and steps across the support foot. See Grapevine (dance move).

Verb

• To restrain in a leglock.
• To drape or curl around adjacent objects.
• To move one's body in a smooth undulating wave while stepping in the direction the wave is moving.
• To score mortar at a joint.
• To spread as a rumor.
• To spread (a rumor).
• To link up through an informal communication network.

Examples

• "Although many grapevines have geographical names, these rarely reflect their real origin, if known at all."
• "I heard through the grapevine that Jim will be leaving soon."

Synonyms

grape, grape vine, pipeline, word of mouth, bush telegraph, jungle drums, jungle telegraph, mulga wire, rumor mill, winetree