rumor
UK[ˈruːmə]US[ˈruːmər]
n
Information or a story that is passed from person to person but has not been proven to be true
v
To be reported as a rumor
Etymology
The word "rumor" entered English in the late 14th century from the Anglo-French rumour, which itself came from the Latin rūmor, meaning "common talk, hearsay, noise, shouting." The Latin term is believed to originate from the Proto-Indo-European root reuə-, meaning "to roar, make a noise." This etymological journey illustrates a clear semantic evolution from a general, often loud, public noise to the specific modern meaning of unverified information circulating among people. The logic connects the concept of audible, widespread sound to the spread of information, whether factual or not.
Analysis
The modern English word "rumor" is a simplex form derived as a whole from Latin.
Examples
A rumor is going around the office that the manager is leaving.
He was rumored to be considering a run for political office.
She paid no attention to the malicious rumors spread by her rivals.