grape-vine

Noun

grapevine (plural grapevines)

1. The plant, a vine of genus Vitis, on which grapes grow.
   • Although many grapevines have geographical names, these rarely reflect their real origin, if known at all.

   Synonyms:

   winetree

2. An informal person-to-person means of circulating information or gossip.
   • I heard through the grapevine that Jim will be leaving soon.

   Synonyms:

   jungle drums, bush telegraph, jungle telegraph, mulga wire, rumor mill

3. (rare, apparently primarily Indian English) A rumor.
   • The legend, like all army grapevine, got around to me.1937 February, Hudson Hawley, “There IS a Saluting Demon”, in American Legion Monthly, volume 22, number 2, page 23
4. 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.
5. A leglock.
6. A dance figure in partner dancing that includes sidesteps and steps across the support foot. See Grapevine (dance move).

See all 17 meanings of grapevine