grapevine

¹

[ greyp-vahyn ]

noun

1. a vine that bears grapes.
2. Also called grape·vine tel·e·graph [greyp, -vahyn , tel, -i-graf]. a person-to-person method of spreading rumors, gossip, information, etc., by informal or unofficial conversation, letter writing, or the like.
3. a private or secret source of information.

Grapevine

²

[ greyp-vahyn ]

noun

1. a town in N Texas.

grapevine

/ ˈɡreɪpˌvaɪn /

noun

1. any of several vitaceous vines of the genus Vitis, esp V. vinifera of E Asia, widely cultivated for its fruit (grapes): family Vitaceae
2. informal.
   an unofficial means of relaying information, esp from person to person
3. a wrestling hold in which a wrestler entwines his own leg around his opponent's and exerts pressure against various joints

Word History and Origins

Origin of grapevine¹

1645–55; 1860–65, Americanism grapevine fordef 2; grape + vine

Example Sentences

Sometimes the city will learn through the grapevine that a client is in jail.

From Los Angeles Times

The nursery is famous for its grapevines and root stock of almond, walnut and pistachio, which are sold to farmers, commercial growers and retail nurseries.

From Los Angeles Times

Some of the grapevine talk has gotten back to her — how she’s a loose cannon or stirring the pot to cover up for complaints accusing her of misconduct.

From Los Angeles Times

The temporary injunction marks the latest twist in a tumultuous dispute over the UFW’s unionization campaign at Wonderful Nurseries in Wasco, the nation’s largest grapevine nursery.

From Los Angeles Times

While they feed on more than 100 different plant species, they have a particular affinity for grapevines and a tree known as the “tree of heaven.”

From Los Angeles Times